Imperial-led project brings gene-drive mosquitoes closer to reality in Africa

An Imperial-led project has made a major advancement in developing gene drive modified mosquitoes to eliminate malaria transmission in Africa.

Transmission Zero, a research team from Imperial in partnership with the Ifakara Health Institute (IHI) and the National Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) in Tanzania, has developed the first transgenic mosquitoes on African soil, proving for the first time that genetically modified mosquitoes can prevent transmission from malaria parasites that are circulating in endemic settings in Africa.

Gene drive technology has been shown to be a promising tool for preventing malaria transmission. Researchers can use genetic technology to render mosquitoes unable to transmit malaria parasites, and to produce a gene drive to ensure future generations are also resistant to the parasite.

"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." Dr Dickson Wilson Lwetoijera Programme Director at the Ifakara Health Institute

However, this technology has previously been tested in laboratories in the Global North, where malaria does not circulate widely, using older generations of malaria parasites which are available to researchers. It was therefore unknown how effective this method would be against genetically diverse, naturally circulating parasites in countries where malaria infections are common.

The new research, published in Nature, shows how researchers in Tanzania, working with Imperial researchers, successfully developed and tested genetically modified mosquitoes in Tanzania that can block the transmission of malaria parasites circulating in the country.

The paper also explains how Transmission Zero has built up vital infrastructure and research capacity in Tanzania for the development and future deployment of gene drive modified mosquitoes.

Dr Dickson Wilson Lwetoijera, Programme Director at IHI, said: “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’s most pressing health challenges.” 

The breakthrough was made possible through a long-term collaboration between Imperial, IHI and NIMR, presenting a powerful model for global health research. Over recent years, Transmission Zero has trained a new generation of Tanzanian scientists in molecular biology, vector genetics, and biosafety to ensure that scientific discovery and leadership remain firmly rooted in Africa. 

Professor George K Christophides, from Transmission Zero and Imperial’s Department of Life Sciences, said: “This study is not about technology alone. It’s about leadership, responsibility, and partnership. It shows what is possible when African institutions lead, and international collaborators support.”

Dr Dickson Wilson Lwetoijera, from the Ifakara Health Institute (Image credit: Malaria No More UK/Jordi Mat)

Scientific research built in Tanzania

The research project was conducted in a state-of-the-art Modular Portable Laboratory and Containment Level 3 insectary facility (MPL/CL3) which was built specifically for this research at the IHI campus.  

The facility, designed to meet high biosafety standards, has enabled local researchers to lead genetic engineering efforts and ensures that the technology will be developed responsibly and transparently within Tanzania. 

Dr Lwetoijera noted that Transmission Zero has worked to build trust with local communities by working in partnership with people in Tanzania whose lives will be impacted by this technology. 

"This study is not about technology alone. It’s about leadership, responsibility, and partnership. It shows what is possible when African institutions lead, and international collaborators support." Professor George Christophides Professor of Infectious Diseases & Immunity at Imperial College London

He added: “We now have the infrastructure, the expertise, and the vision to advance gene drive science within Africa. By tailoring gene drive technology to local conditions, we have developed a powerful tool that could complement existing malaria control efforts and bring us closer to elimination.” 

The trial, which was conducted entirely under laboratory containment, involved introducing antimalarial traits – via naturally occurring molecules from frogs and honeybees – into local mosquito populations. These modified mosquitoes effectively prevented Plasmodium falciparum, the primary malaria parasite in Africa, from developing, creating a significant barrier to transmission.

While the results present a promising step forward for this technology, further research is required before field trials can begin.

The next phase of Transmission Zero’s research will include comprehensive risk assessments, regulatory engagement, and continued community consultation to ensure the safety, efficacy, and acceptability of any future deployment. Monitoring for resistance will also be critical to ensure the long-term effectiveness of the technology.

Dr Nikolai Windbichler, from Transmission Zero and Imperial’s Department of Life Sciences, said: “Our goal is to offer a novel tool that can complement existing methods in order to achieve malaria elimination in Africa, and this is a huge step forward.

“Now, we want to move at the right speed. It is important that we’re not too fast and that we make sure people are supportive of this new technology, but we should also move with urgency and treat malaria as the emergency that it is.”

Gene drive modified mosquitoes are studied at the Transmission Zero laboratory at Imperial (Image credit: Imperial College London/Jo Mieszkowski)

Tackling a persistent public health threat

According to the World Malaria Report 2025 from the World Health Organization, Tanzania is one of four countries that together accounted for over 50 per cent of all malaria deaths globally last year, with nearly 93 per cent of the population at risk.  

Traditional vector control methods, such as insecticide-treated bed nets and indoor spraying, have been highly effective, saving millions of lives, but face growing challenges due to insecticide resistance and rapid population growth.  

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Transmission Zero is an international research programme, led by Imperial College London in partnership with the Ifakara Health Institute, the National Institute for Medical Research (Tanzania), and the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH). 

The programme is supported by the Gates Foundation.

More information on Transmission Zero can be found on their website.

'Gene-drive-capable mosquitoes suppress patient-derived malaria in Tanzania' by George K Christophides et al. is published in Nature.

Main image credit: Malaria No More UK/Jordi Mat.