Mosquito-borne diseases like Malaria, Dengue Fever, and Zika continue to infect and kill hundreds of thousands of people, mostly in subtropical and tropical regions. Studies show that global temperature rise could extend the annual transmission seasons for malaria by more than a month and for dengue fever by four months for the next 50 years, exposing over eight billion people to these diseases by 2080 [10]. Traditional mosquito control methods like insecticides and treated bed nets have been effective to a point, however, mosquitoes are developing resistance to these chemicals, weakening their effectiveness [7]. These insecticides can have a huge environmental impact and affect non-target species [9]. When the Eastern Equine Encephalitis (also known as the EEE, a type of mosquito) appeared in the northeastern U.S., it resultedin many human deaths, it represented the growing threat of mosquito-borne diseases in regions that were previously less affected [13].

To visually show how CRISPR-based gene editing can prevent mosquitoes from biting humans, the following steps will be used:

Mosquito Anatomy Model

• A 3D model of a mosquito will be created using materials like clay or plastic to show the mosquito's anatomy, especially the proboscis [5].
• The model will be labeled to highlight key body parts like the proboscis, thorax, and abdomen, focusing on how mosquitoes feed [8].

CRISPR-Cas9 Gene Editing Simulation

Gene Editing Process

• A diagram or animation will show how CRISPR-Cas9 is used to change the mosquito’s DNA.
• The simulation will focus on genes that control proboscis development and show how guide RNA (gRNA) directs the Cas9 enzyme to cut the DNA, disrupting proboscis growth [3].

Targeted Genes

• Specific genes involved in proboscis growth will be targeted, such as the doublesex gene, which controls mosquito development [5].
• Diagrams will explain how CRISPR disrupts these genes, preventing mosquitoes from developing a functional proboscis [3].

Supporting Diagrams and Data

• Gene editing diagrams will explain the CRISPR-Cas9 mechanism and how it disrupts mosquito genes [3].
• Scientific data from studies on CRISPR-modified mosquitoes will be included to show how gene editing can help control mosquito populations [5][6].

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One promising approach is the use of CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing to modify mosquitoes' biological traits, potentially reducing their ability to transmit diseases. Studies have demonstrated that CRISPR-based gene drives can spread genetic modifications rapidly through mosquito populations, leading to population suppression [5]. Additionally, research indicates that CRISPR-Cas9-mediated gene editing can effectively disrupt genes essential for mosquito development and pathogen transmission, offering a potential tool for malaria control [6]. Innovative strategies, including gene editing and gene drive systems, are being explored to combat mosquito-borne diseases. These methods aim to reduce mosquito populations or render them incapable of transmitting pathogens, potentially complementing existing control measures [12]. However, the release of gene-edited mosquitoes into the wild raises ecological and ethical considerations that require thorough evaluation [11]. Therefore, further research is essential to assess the efficacy, safety, and long-term impacts of these genetic interventions in diverse environments [15].

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Research indicates that CRISPR-based gene editing can significantly alter mosquito populations by disrupting essential genetic pathways. One such target is the doublesex gene, which controls mosquito development, including the formation of key features such as the proboscis. Studies by Kyrou et al. (2018) successfully used CRISPR to suppress mosquito populations by altering this gene [6]. Similarly, Gantz and Bier (2015) demonstrated the potential of CRISPR-Cas9 for spreading genetic modifications across mosquito populations, causing mutations that prevent normal feeding behaviors [3].

The model proposed in this research will simulate the gene editing of mosquitoes’ proboscis development. It will compare mosquitoes that have been edited using CRISPR to those that are wild-type. Behavioral studies by Hammond et al. (2016) have shown that gene drives—tools that modify genes in a way that spreads them throughout a population—can be used to alter reproductive behaviors in mosquitoes, which could complement the CRISPR modifications to the proboscis [5]. Furthermore, studies on environmental changes have suggested that warming climates allow mosquitoes to expand into new regions, which would necessitate adaptive solutions like gene editing [8]. These data will be integrated into the model to evaluate how effective CRISPR-modified mosquitoes are in various environments.

In addition to laboratory simulations, field studies on genetically modified mosquitoes will be reviewed to analyze how CRISPR technology affects the larger environment. Data from previous studies on insecticide resistance indicate that traditional mosquito control methods are becoming less effective over time, highlighting the need for novel approaches [7]. More importantly, research by Ranson and Lissenden (2016) has highlighted the growing challenge of resistance to insecticides, stressing the importance of new strategies like CRISPR to manage mosquito-borne diseases effectively [13].

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The use of CRISPR-based gene editing to target the mosquito proboscis presents a promising solution to control the spread of diseases such as malaria, dengue, and Zika. By modifying genes involved in proboscis development, it is possible to prevent mosquitoes from feeding on humans, which could substantially reduce disease transmission. Previous studies on CRISPR-Cas9 in mosquitoes, such as those by Kyrou et al. (2018), Gantz and Bier (2015), and Hammond et al. (2016), demonstrate the effectiveness of genetic modifications in altering mosquito behaviors and populations [6][3][5].

However, while CRISPR offers an environmentally friendly method of disease control, the long-term impacts of releasing genetically modified mosquitoes into the wild require careful consideration. Research on climate change, as explored by Rocklöv and Dubrow (2020), indicates that environmental shifts may impact the effectiveness of gene-edited mosquitoes, suggesting that further research is necessary to ensure the stability of these modifications in various climates [8]. Additionally, a growing body of research, such as studies on the environmental impacts of insecticides by van den Berg et al. (2012), suggests that the combined use of gene editing with traditional mosquito control methods can offer a more sustainable solution to global mosquito-borne disease management [9].

The integration of CRISPR technology with other mosquito control measures, such as insecticide treatments and environmental monitoring, could provide a sustainable solution to the growing issue of mosquito-borne diseases. Ultimately, while challenges remain, CRISPR represents an innovative approach to protecting public health and controlling vector-borne diseases globally.

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1. Bhatt, S., et al. (2015). The global distribution and burden of dengue. Nature, 496(7446), 504–507.
2. Flores, H. A., & O’Neill, S. L. (2018). Controlling vector-borne diseases by releasing modified mosquitoes. Nature Reviews Microbiology, 16(8), 508–518.
3. Gantz, V. M., & Bier, E. (2015). The mutagenic chain reaction: A method for converting heterozygous to homozygous mutations. Science, 348(6233), 442–444.
4. Gubler, D. J. (2011). Dengue, urbanization, and globalization: The unholy trinity of the 21st century. Tropical Medicine and Health, 39(4 Suppl), 3–11.
5. Hammond, A., et al. (2016). A CRISPR-Cas9 gene drive system targeting female reproduction in the malaria mosquito vector Anopheles gambiae. Nature Biotechnology, 34(1), 78–83.
6. Kyrou, K., et al. (2018). A CRISPR-Cas9 gene drive targeting doublesex causes complete population suppression in caged Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes. Nature Biotechnology, 36(11), 1062–1066.
7. Ranson, H., & Lissenden, N. (2016). Insecticide resistance in African Anopheles mosquitoes: A worsening situation that needs urgent action to maintain malaria control. Trends in Parasitology, 32(3), 187–196.
8. Rocklöv, J., & Dubrow, R. (2020). Climate change: An enduring challenge for vector-borne disease prevention and control. Nature Immunology, 21(5), 479–483.
9. van den Berg, H., et al. (2012). Environmental impacts of insecticides for vector control. Environmental Health Perspectives, 120(4), 577–582.
10. World Health Organization (WHO). (2020). Vector-borne diseases.
11. Genetic Literacy Project. (2024). The ethics and risks of gene-edited mosquitoes for malaria control.
12. Frontiers in Public Health. (2024). Innovative strategies to combat mosquito-borne diseases: A look into gene drive systems.
13. Lissenden, N., & Ranson, H. (2017). Managing insecticide resistance in mosquito-borne diseases: A challenge for global health. Lancet Infectious Diseases, 17(9), 903–904.
14. World Mosquito Program. (2024). How climate change is amplifying mosquito-borne diseases.
15. Gantz, V. M., et al. (2020). Cas9-mediated gene-editing in the malaria mosquito Anopheles stephensi. Nature Communications, 11(1), 1–12.

I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my science teacher, Miss Atabayeva, for her invaluable guidance and support throughout this project. I am also thankful to Almadina Charter Academy for providing the resources and environment that made this research possible. Special thanks to the researchers and scientists whose studies and publications provided the foundation for this work (also my family and friends for being there all the time)