A group of researchers from the University of the Algarve have found that humans and malaria-carrying mosquitoes have similar reproduction systems, which may help find a way to stop them from reproducing.
João Cardoso, one of the lead researchers, told Lusa news agency the goal now is to actually produce a “mutant mosquito” that cannot reproduce, and see if it has an effect on the insect’s physiology.
The study started in 2009 and is a result of a partnership with the Institute of Tropical Medicine.
Cardoso explained that funding has been provided by the Science and Technology Foundation (FCT), which he hopes will also fund the next stage of their research.
Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease caused by a parasite. In 2013, an estimated 198 million cases of malaria occurred worldwide and 500,000 people died, mostly in Africa.
