GM METARHIZIUM FUNGUS

NEWS – A breakthrough study published in Nature Microbiology has introduced a genetically modified (GM) fungus – GM Metarhizium Fungus – that can lure and kill mosquitoes with unprecedented efficiency. This innovation combines biological control with genetic engineering to address global mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue.

HIGHLIGHTS

Background: The Mosquito Challenge

• Mosquitoes transmit malaria, dengue, and other vector-borne diseases.
• These diseases infect ~700 million people and cause 1 million deaths annually.
• Conventional methods:
  • Chemical fumigation
  • Insecticide-treated bed nets
• Issue: Mosquitoes are increasingly developing resistance to chemical interventions.

The New Innovation: GM Metarhizium Fungus

How It Works

• Metarhizium fungus is already used in pest control.
• It naturally releases longifolene, a sweet-smelling compound (also used in perfumes), but only after it kills an insect.
• Researchers genetically modified the fungus to:
  • Continuously produce high levels of longifolene
  • Use a pine tree gene responsible for longifolene synthesis

Mechanism

• Fungus mimics the scent of a flower, attracting mosquitoes.
• Once mosquitoes land, fungal spores infect and kill them by consuming internal tissues.

Experimental Results

• GM fungus placed in traps (made from wheat–rice substrate).
• Mosquito kill rate:
  • 50% within 5 days
  • 90–100% within a few more days
• The traps remained effective even with competing scents in the environment.

 Significance

• Affordable and scalable mosquito control
• Potentially eco-friendly alternative to chemical insecticides
• Complements modern biological strategies like:
  • Wolbachia infection of mosquitoes
  • Radiation-based sterilization