Traditional Methods:
Vaccines: Two malaria vaccines have been rolled out in some African countries.
Genetically Modified Mosquitoes:
Sterile Male Technique: Releasing radiation-sterilized male mosquitoes to reduce offspring.
Gene Drive: Engineering mosquitoes to spread resistance to malaria parasites.
Parasitic Modification: Engineering mosquitoes to slow parasite growth.
Novel Approach: Genetically Modified Malaria Parasites
Genetically modifying the malaria parasite to prevent disease.
The parasite primes the immune system during the liver stage.
The modified parasite arrests its growth on day six of the liver stage (late-arresting parasite).
This timing allows for optimal immune system priming.
A small trial involving 20 healthy adults was conducted.
Participants were exposed to genetically modified late-arresting parasites or early-arresting parasites.
Late-arresting parasites provided significantly better protection against malaria infection (89% vs. 13%).
Further research is needed to confirm efficacy and safety in larger trials.
COMMENTS