Research
Malaria, a parasitic disease spread by mosquitoes, still affects over 260 million people every year. Transmission Zero are an international research programme developing new genetic technologies, called gene drives, for malaria elimination.
Techniques
Gene drives are a tool that allow specific genetic traits to be inherited at greater rates in a population. By propagating malaria resistance through mosquito populations, we can prevent the spread of this deadly parasite.
Locations
Transmission Zero are based at Imperial College London in the UK, and the Ifakara Health Institute in Tanzania, with partnerships in the National Institute of Medical Research, Tanzania, and the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute.
Our Mission
Decades-long progress in tackling malaria has been stalling. Cases and deaths have been further
exacerbated by disruption to health services during the COVID-19 pandemic. In Africa, more people live in areas at risk of malaria, and experience 94% of global malaria cases. New, efficient and equitable tools to eliminate malaria are urgently needed to complement our existing interventions.
We are developing new genetic tools to reduce malaria transmission by Anopheles mosquitoes.
What is Malaria?
Malaria is a parasitic disease, caused by microscopic Plasmodium parasites. It is transmitted to humans by Anopheles mosquito bites and causes a characteristic cyclical fever. Over 260 million people contract malaria every year, leading to 600,000 deaths. Over 90% of cases and deaths caused by malaria are in Africa, and the vast majority of deaths (76%) are in young children under age five.
What do we do?
Malaria is still a huge global health issue. We are creating new tools to curb malaria spread by modifying mosquitoes to make them resistant to malaria. Using a technology called gene drive, these mosquitoes can propagate their resistance among mosquito populations to protect people from the disease.
Meet the Team
Transmission Zero is an international research programme, headquartered at Imperial College London in the UK, and at the Ifakara Health Institute in Tanzania, with partners at the National Institute of Medical Research, Tanzania, and the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute.
