Robyn Raban

RT @Omar_Akbari_: Please read our latest review on "Manipulating the Destiny of Wild Populations Using CRISPR" annualreviews.org/doi/10.1146/an… @Ann…

New paper 🔥 - Cost-effectiveness of Precision Guided SIT for Control of Anopheles gambiae in the Upper River Region, The Gambia. biorxiv.org/content/10.110… 🔥

Eliminating Malaria Vectors with Precision Guided Sterile Males biorxiv.org/content/10.110…

Paper 2 - A confinable female-lethal population suppression system in the malaria vector, Anopheles gambiae biorxiv.org/content/10.110…

Blending experts from molecular genetics, chemistry and health sciences, researchers at @ucsandiego have created a rapid diagnostic technology that detects SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. @acs_sensors bit.ly/3bPwrws

New paper - Temperature-Inducible Precision-Guided Sterile Insect Technique | The CRISPR Journal liebertpub.com/doi/epub/10.10… @ucsdbiosciences @NikolayKandul @Lacie414

Congrats to the Akbari Lab & colleagues on their flagship precision guided SIT technology to control the dengue vector, Aedes aegypti. Happy to be part of the development of this potentially transformative technology. nature.com/articles/s4146…

Mosquitoes Sterilized by CRISPR Powered Precision System genengnews.com/insights/mosqu… via @GENbio

@FightingMalaria Existing tools have saved millions of lives in the last decade but have fallen short of global eradication goals.  New technologies are needed to support sustainable disease elimination in areas with continued malaria transmission and in areas at risk of disease re-establishment

Q2 of the #MosquitoChat - come join the conversation!

@FightingMalaria I work with a team of researchers developing state of the art genetic and gene drive technologies to control vector-borne disease, such as malaria, dengue and Zika. In the future these tools may be used in programs to reduce and eliminate vector-borne disease. #MosquitoChat

Welcome to the #MosquitoChat! To get us started, it'd be great to hear a little about yourself and the work that you do.

@FightingMalaria Sustained investment into malaria control & surveillance programmes & research are key to ensuring control deficiencies are rapidly identified, technologies/plans are developed to address these deficiencies & people have access to the best tools for their circumstances.

We've had some great insights so far in the #MosquitoChat. Now onto Q6! Tell us your thoughts on how we can ensure #malaria innovations reach the people that need them the most.

@FightingMalaria In the future, genetic vector control tools may be a cost effective and sustainable tool for malaria control. They are adaptable to many disease vectors, but are specific, so unlike insecticides, they do not harm beneficial species. #MosquitoChat

Time for Q5 in our #MosquitoChat! Thank you to those who have participated so far! If you haven't joined us yet, what are your views on the latest malaria control innovations?

@FightingMalaria The malaria response is challenged on all fronts. Insecticide and antimalarial drug resistance are impacting control programs. New preventative measures, such as vector control tools, and vaccines are needed to address these problems. #MosquitoChat

Time for another question - get involved and share your views! #MosquitoChat

@FightingMalaria Both. Short term, COVID has negatively impacted our resources & control programs. Long term, I hope that the collaborative research spirit & spotlight on global health fostered by the COVID pandemic continues & positively impacts vector-borne disease programs. #MosquitoChat

Have your say - follow the #MosquitoChat

This #WorldMosquitoDay, join the #MosquitoChat 🦟 where the world’s top scientists fighting mosquito-borne diseases are coming together to explain the cutting-edge tech that’s helping to eliminate some of the world’s deadliest diseases. 20th August 9am to 5pm BST.