Genetically modified mozzies
In a previous post, we covered the huge problem of dengue fever, which has caused more deaths in Myanmar in 2020 that the COVID-19 virus. Now, there may be a way to stop the spread of dengue.
Read the summary below and try and predict the six missing words.
Identify which part of speech each missing words is (noun, verb, adjective).
Now read the article and try and find ONE WORD in the text to fill each gap.
Scientists have (1)_______ genetically modified mosquitoes that have limited (2)_______ to spread pathogens. Mosquitoes modified with the (3)_____ for the dengue virus are unable to (4)______ the virus and are currently being tested in a specially (5)______ bio-containment site. It is believed the mosquitoes will be more (6)_____ in battling dengue and a suite of other viruses.
Getting a mosquito bite can be more than just annoying. If the pest is carrying a virus like dengue, the bite can make you sick with fever, rash and extreme pain -- or it can even kill you. But a team of researchers may have a solution. Scientists from the Australia national science agency CSIRO and the University of California at San Diego have engineered what they say is the first genetically modified mosquitoes resistant to spreading all four types of the dengue virus.
"Recent advances in genetic engineering technologies have made it possible to create mosquitoes with reduced vector competence, limiting their ability to acquire and transmit pathogens," scientists said in a research paper published in the medical journal PLOS Pathogens.
Scientists modified female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes with the antibody against the virus. The mosquitoes appear to be unable to spread any form of the debilitating disease. "Once the female mosquito takes in blood, the antibody is activated and expressed -- that's the trigger," study co-author and UC San Diego Professor Omar S. Akbari said in a statement. "The antibody is able to hinder the replication of the virus and prevent its dissemination throughout the mosquito, which then prevents its transmission to humans. It's a powerful approach."
The research could eventually change the lives of millions of people. According to the study, more than half of the world's population is at risk of contracting the virus, with 390 million infections documented annually. "We are already in the early stages of testing methods to simultaneously neutralize mosquitoes against dengue and a suite of other viruses such as Zika, yellow fever and chikungunya," Akbari said.
The mosquitoes in the study were tested in CSIRO's bio-containment site specifically designed for research of dangerous infectious agents.
The study found that the new genetically engineered mosquitoes are potentially more efficient in fighting the spread of diseases caused by mosquitoes (such as dengue).
When you are ready, enter you details in the sheet below
Comments