Author Spotlight: Whole-Mount Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization to Study Spermatogenesis in the Anopheles Mosquito

The scope of our research is to develop and share cost-effective and sustainable genetic strategies that aim at reducing the number of malaria-transmitting mosquitoes in South Saharan Africa. In the last few years, we have demonstrated the power of gene drive technologies in suppressing caged mosquito populations. We are currently running a number of experiments to challenge these technologies in more complex experimental setup and to answer the regulatory requirements that are absolutely necessary for the potential implementation of these technologies in the field.

FISH is a molecular cytogenetic technique that allows for the staining of a specific DNA sequence. It typically involves the squashing of the organ of interest, which can results in the loss of information about the spatial arrangement of cells. Wellman FISH allows for the preservation of the native cytological structure of the organs.

Wellman FISH can be used to study chromosome behavior in mosquito reproductive organs. Reproductive organs are the target of several genetic strategies for vector control. Wellmann FISH has the potential to shed light on the mechanism that take place in the reproductive organs of well-time mosquito, as well as in any genetic strain of interest.