Fighting the Real Battle

What They Do

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  Gene Drive Technology: Developing genetically modified mosquitoes using gene-drive technology that can spread through wild populations, reducing their ability to transmit malaria or affecting their reproduction.
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  Rigorous Research: Conducting extensive laboratory and contained field studies to ensure safety and efficacy before any environmental release.
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  Community Engagement: Working closely with local communities in Africa to ensure their research is ethical, inclusive, and addresses real needs.
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  Global Collaboration: Partnering with research institutions across Africa, Europe, and North America to advance the science.

The Science

Gene drives are genetic systems that increase the chance of a particular gene being inherited by offspring from 50% to nearly 100%. Target Malaria is developing gene drives that could either:

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  Make female mosquitoes sterile, reducing the overall population
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  Bias sex ratios toward males (who don't bite), collapsing population growth
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  Make mosquitoes resistant to the malaria parasite itself

What They Do

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  Wolbachia Method: Introducing a naturally occurring bacterium called Wolbachia into mosquito populations, which reduces their ability to transmit viruses to humans.
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  Community Releases: Working with communities to release Wolbachia-carrying mosquitoes that breed with wild populations, spreading the bacteria naturally.
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  Proven Results: Studies in Yogyakarta, Indonesia showed a 77% reduction in dengue cases in areas with Wolbachia mosquitoes.
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  Global Reach: Operating in 14 countries across Asia, Latin America, and the Pacific, protecting over 11 million people.

The Science

Wolbachia is a naturally occurring bacterium found in up to 60% of insect species - but not in the primary species of mosquitoes that spread human diseases. When introduced to these mosquitoes:

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  The bacteria compete with viruses for resources inside the mosquito
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  This makes it much harder for viruses like dengue and Zika to replicate
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  Wolbachia passes from mother to offspring, spreading naturally through populations
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  It's self-sustaining - once established, no ongoing releases are needed