Hosted at the Centre for Research in Infectious Diseases (CRID) from May 14th to 18th, 2023, the meeting brought together participants from various institutions such as the Research Institute of Health Sciences (IRSS) of Burkina Faso, the Centre for Research in Infectious Disease (CRID), Cameroon, the Ifakara Health Institute (IHI), Tanzania, the National Malaria Control Programme, Djibouti, the Malaria Research And Training Center (MRTC), Mali, the University of Oxford, United Kingdom (UK), the Imperial College London, UK, the Cheikh Anta Diop University (UCAD), Senegal, as well as online participants from the Wellcome trust and the United States. During the meeting, progress reports were presented, and round table discussions were held on the applicability of gene drive for malaria control and the challenges of implementing this technology in Africa. The meeting also involved sharing experiences between the different members of the consortium and discussions with some members of the Pan-African Mosquito Control Association (PAMCA) and national malaria control programs from other countries on innovative tools for malaria vector control, in line with the expectations of the Wellcome Trust.
At the end of the meeting, CRID and MRTC Mali conducted a training session for other team members on population genetics and genomics, and high-altitude-long-distance migration of mosquitoes using a helium balloon at a height of 190m above the ground. The training focused on two parts: practical PCR amplifications for sequencing of genes of interest and genotyping of genes of interest by qPCR, followed by interpretation and analysis of data from sequencing and genotyping. The high-altitude-long-distance migration of mosquitoes training by the MRTC team of Mali was conducted in Mengong, South region of Cameroon, based on the recommendations of the Cameroonian Civil Aviation Authority and the Ministry of Defence for security measures.
Vector control through insecticide is the most effective intervention for reducing malaria infections. However, resistance to insecticides is a growing concern, and new technologies are needed to keep the disease at bay. Gene drive, as a promising vector control approach, requires the release of small numbers of modified mosquitoes to suppress the population of those in the wild or block the transmission of pathogens. However, the implementation of this strategy requires addressing critical knowledge gaps in the ecology of gene drive, ethical implications, developing exhaustive risk assessment and management plans, and building technical capacity in Africa to take ownership of the technology.
