1: Introduction

Hello! This is the first blog post for my senior project about malaria control methods and the potential development of a novel system. This week I’ll be providing an introduction to my project, including some background on malaria recently, why I chose the specific areas of study I did, and what my end product will be.

Background

Countless species of Anopheles mosquitoes transmit malaria, and in different capacities. What variation in their genetics allows mosquito species to have different immune responses to Plasmodium parasites in different regions? The World Malaria Report revealed that an estimated 247 million people were infected with malaria in 2021, and there were approximately 619,000 deaths because of the disease. Malaria is a deadly infectious disease that disproportionately affects some of the most marginalized populations in the world, and there has been a resurgence of reported cases within the United States in more recent years, with an approximate 9% increase in cases in 2021 as opposed to those in 2019. Malaria remains a global health challenge, and it is crucial to understand the ecology of mosquitoes and the genetic variation within their populations to develop precise control methods. 

One significant issue is the concern regarding the rise and dissemination of drug-resistant strains of the malaria parasite, especially Plasmodium falciparum, responsible for the majority of malaria-related fatalities. The widespread utilization of antimalarial drugs like chloroquine and artemisinin-based therapies has resulted in the emergence of resistant strains, diminishing the effectiveness of certain treatments over time. The genetic diversity among mosquito populations contributes to their resilience against traditional control measures. The renewed interest in malaria underscores the pressing need to address its impact on vulnerable populations and reassess control methods in light of past challenges by refocusing on the transmissions. A more thorough understanding of mosquito genetics and ecology is imperative for designing targeted interventions that can effectively address the specific challenges posed by mosquito populations.

Goal

My project’s goal is to use research based on the genetic variation in Anopheles and their immune responses relative to geography, to 1) conduct extensive research in the realm of malaria under the Anopheles genus of mosquitoes, and 2) create a proposal of a novel solution developing a new vector control method based on existing solutions with the goal of regulating malaria transmissions. By integrating genetic, immune, and ecological factors, my research will aim to offer a more holistic perspective on malaria control. This approach could contribute to the development of newer sustainable vector control methods that consider the dynamic nature of mosquito populations relative to location and environment. My product will be a report detailing my findings, with the methodology behind a proposal of my combination of malaria control methods that I find to be most effective in regards to the region of the world I expect to focus on. With this final report, I hope to better understand why the genetic variation in certain mosquito species allows for increased transmission to humans as well as their own immune responses to the parasites carrying the disease.