Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation project 2 : developing field-deployable RT-PCR for vector surveillance

In malaria vector control surveillance, data concerning many important indicators can only be collected via laboratory-based molecular tests (i.e., species confirmation of species complexes, molecular mechanisms of resistance, Plasmodium infectivity). At present, transporting mosquitoes to laboratories for testing is a major rate-limiting step that can lead to months-long delays in receiving data, especially if there…

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation project 1 : molecular markers for metabolic resistance to insecticides

In the major malaria vectors including An. funestus and An. gambiae metabolic mechanisms are driving resistance to most insecticides, including pyrethroids. But, contrary to target-site resistance such as knockdown resistance (kdr) for which DNA-based markers have been detected for more than two decades, until of recent, no DNA-based molecular assays were available to easily track…

Wellcome Trust Senior Renewal Fellowship project : elucidating the complex evolution of insecticide resistance in the major malaria vector Anopheles funestus Africa-wide and its impact on control tools

Worrying cases of high resistance levels to insecticides are emerging in major malaria vectors such as Anopheles funestus leading to extensive loss of efficacy of Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) including PBO-pyrethroid nets. Unless such super-resistance is managed, recent gains in reducing malaria transmission could be lost with terrible consequences. Unfortunately, the molecular drivers of…