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The Founder of the African Genetic Biocontrol Consortium, Dr Willy Kiprotich Tonui, has called for a new solution in the fight against malaria as new species of mosquitoes are resistant to conventional methods.
He explained that the landscape of the fight against malaria had rapidly changed as mosquitoes are increasingly developing resistance to insecticides, undermining these critical interventions.
“Additionally, new mosquito species, previously not found in certain regions, are now making their presence felt, posing new threats and challenges.
“So far, new compounds, DIF-1(+3), which have demonstrated significantly stronger growth inhibitory effects against Plasmodium falciparum have been synthesised, including strains resistant to chloroquine and artemisinin,” he said.
Dr Tonui, who was speaking at the second Global Congress on Genetic Biocontrol Technologies in Accra last Wednesday, said the compound showed near-complete suppression of parasite growth in vivo tests, indicating its potential as a new treatment option in areas with high levels of drug resistance.
“This is useful in understanding mechanisms that can aid in developing targeted treatments and vaccines to prevent the parasite from establishing infection in the first place,” says Dr Tonui.
The congress, held in collaboration with the Ghana National Biosafety Authority (NBA), was on the theme: “Harnessing genetic biocontrol potential solutions in a changing climate”.
It aimed to bring experts from around the world to share learnings across diverse disciplines related to genetic biocontrol technologies.
Dr Tonui added that scientists are also turning to new technologies such as gene drives, which allow a 50 per cent chance of a gene being passed on to offspring of mosquitoes to help control mosquito populations and reduce the spread of diseases such as malaria.
Participants
The Minister of Environment Science and Technology, Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, affirmed the government’s support to the NBA and its partners in providing leadership, exceptional services and guidance on emerging technologies.
He indicated that “the collaborative effort between the African Genetic Biocontrol Consortium and Ghana’s NBA represents a crucial step forward in our shared commitment to advancing biosafety and regulatory frameworks for emerging biotechnologies”.
Mr Muhammed also stated that the congress would enable the country’s scientific community and other stakeholders to identify specific capacity-building needs and explore strategies to address them within the evolving regulatory landscape, both regionally and internationally.
