FUNDING ORGANIZATION	RESEARCH ORGANIZATION	PROGRAM	DIRECTOR	CITY	COUNTRY	ABSTRACT
	EC	INTERNATIONAL CENTER OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY (ICIPE)	POPULATION AGE STRUCTURE AND AGE STRUCTURE MODIFICATION VIA WOLBACHIA IN ANOPHELES GAMBIAE	GILTHURE, JOHN	NAIROBI	KENYA	View
One of the most critical factors contributing to the vectorial capacity of malaria vector mosquitoes is the mean age attained by adult females, because after picking up the Plasmodium parasite there is a lengthy incubation period before transmission can occur. A virulent strain of the endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia called wMelPop reduces adult lifespan in its native Drosophila host, and has recently been shown to do the same following transfer into Aedes mosquitoes. We will examine its potential as a novel malaria control tool by creating and characterizing Anopheles cell lines containing wMelPop, and purifying and transferring it into An. gambiae by microinjection. We will then characterize the cytoplasmic incompatibility phenotype by which Wolbachia spreads itself, virulence (lifespan shortening effects), maternal transmission rates, and tissue distribution of introduced Wolbachia, together with analyses of mosquito gene expression using microarrays. Development of a molecular age estimation assay for the An. gambiae complex will be undertaken by adapting a new quantitative RT-PCR method for use in An. gambiae. We will then set up a greenhouse population of a member of the An. gambiae complex in Kenya that is viable over multiple generations, release marked mosquitoes to calibrate the molecular age estimation assays under semi-field conditions, and compare age structure between greenhouse and wild populations. In Burkina Faso we will estimate population age structure in the An. gambiae complex at 3 field sites, in different seasons and with / without insecticide treated net use. Liaison will take place with government institutions and local communities on regulatory issues and desirability of future Wolbachia-based trials in both countries. We will also build a suite of mathematical models to allow the analysis of different interventions that affect adult mosquito longevity, and incorporate the dynamics of Wolbachia spread in an age-structured population.
	EC	INTERNATIONAL CENTER OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY (ICIPE)	POPULATION BIOLOGY AND MOLECULAR GENETICS OF VECTORIAL CAPACITY IN ANOPHELES GAMBIAE: TARGETING REPRODUCTIVE BEHAVIOUR AND IMMUNITY FOR TRANSMISSION-REFRACTORY INTERVENTIONS	MASIGA, DANIEL	NAIROBI	KENYA	View
Malaria, one of the world’s most devastating diseases, is caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Plasmodium and is obligatory transmitted to humans by anopheline mosquitoes. The African mosquito species Anopheles gambiae s.s., is the major vector of this disease. Research groups from 3 European countries and 3 African teams will integrate their resources and scientific expertise in malaria research to expand knowledge of mosquito biology and of vector-parasite interactions, exploiting the opportunities provided by the recently available genome information and technological developments for mosquito vectors. The joint scientific program of the MALVECBLOK Consortium integrates for the first time three crucial aspects of biology of An. gambiae: reproduction, immunity and population biology, with the aim to ultimately provide novel concepts and targets for malaria control. The main objectives will address: (i) The molecular bases of reproductive biology of the mosquito vector, and its effects on immunity and Plasmodium transmission; (ii) The molecular mechanisms which determine the mosquito immune status and regulate Plasmodium sporogony and transmission, in both laboratory settings and natural populations; (iii) The role of genetic polymorphism in genes controlling reproduction and immunity on structure of mosquito populations and malaria transmission in Africa. In order to reach these objectives, MALVECBLOK will employ a number of concerted strategies in support of its 3-year agenda. Special attention will be given to cutting-edge training opportunities and sharing of resources, by implementing interactive programmes for the training and exchange of personnel at all levels, and by rationalising and coordinating investment. The innovative knowledge generated under this trans-disciplinary project will promote European scientific competitiveness and will impact global health issues.