{"id":4250,"date":"2026-04-22T06:38:13","date_gmt":"2026-04-22T06:38:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/genedrivenetwork.org\/?p=4250"},"modified":"2026-04-22T07:32:10","modified_gmt":"2026-04-22T07:32:10","slug":"tackling-malaria-at-the-source-in-tanzania","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/genedrivenetwork.org\/es\/blog\/tackling-malaria-at-the-source-in-tanzania\/","title":{"rendered":"Tackling malaria at the source in Tanzania"},"content":{"rendered":"

Malaria is a deadly disease, which spreads to humans through the bite of infected Anopheles <\/em>mosquitoes. The African region carries a disproportionately high share of the global burden of malaria, accounting for 95% of global cases. In Tanzania, where we live and work, the entire population is considered at risk of the disease, making it one of the most pressing health challenges in the country. As one of 11 African countries classified as \u201chigh burden\u201d, Tanzania faces persistent transmission hotspots, particularly in the lake and coastal zones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Scientists at Ifakara Health Institute in Tanzania are working towards innovative new vector control tools as part of the Transmission Zero partnership. Photograph: Malaria No More UK<\/a>\/Jordi Mat<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Co-led by scientists at the Ifakara Health Institute (IHI<\/a>), the Tanzania National Institute for Medical Research<\/a>, the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss-TPH<\/a>) and Imperial College London<\/a>, the Transmission Zero<\/a> international research programme is  working to develop innovative genetic tools aimed at reducing malaria transmission by targeting its source: the mosquitoes that transmit the disease. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our work at the Ifakara Health Institute<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Transmission Zero, our work represents a shift in the development of innovative tools for malaria control \u2014 from a model in which the design and development of new approaches have been traditionally carried out outside of the African region, to one that is led and owned by African institutions. Through long-term collaboration and knowledge exchange between partner institutions, a new generation of Tanzanian scientists has been trained in molecular biology, vector genetics, and biosafety, ensuring that scientific discovery and leadership remain firmly rooted in the African region. At the Ifakara Health Institute and the National Institute of Medical Research we have taken the lead in developing and testing our technologies under the oversight of institutional and national ethical and regulatory bodies, while our Imperial College partners have supported capacity building and advanced training.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This leadership has already delivered historic results<\/a>. In 2023, we achieved a major milestone by successfully developing the first genetically modified mosquito in Africa. Working under laboratory containment, we introduced naturally occurring antimalarial molecules into local mosquito populations. The results were groundbreaking: we were able to show that our technology is able to effectively block the development of the malaria parasite, creating a powerful barrier to transmission of the disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A transgenic mosquito larva through the lens of a microscope at the Ifakara Health Institute. Photograph: Ifakara Health Institute<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The research was conducted in a state-of-the-art Modular Portable Laboratory and Containment Level 3 insectary facility (MPL\/CL3) built specifically for this research at the IHI campus. This facility, designed to meet high biosafety standards, enables local researchers to lead genetic engineering efforts and ensures that the technology is developed responsibly and transparently within Tanzania.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This is the first time a genetically modified, gene drive-compatible mosquito strain has been developed in Africa, by African scientists, targeting malaria parasites circulating in local communities. We are proud to be driving innovation locally, using cutting-edge tools to address one of our continent\u2019s most pressing health challenges.<\/em> – Dr. Dickson Wilson\u00a0Lwetoijera, Programme Director at IHI<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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