Gene drive technology could reshape the fight against malaria in Africa, according to a groundbreaking study published in Nature Communications.

The research, led by Target Malaria UK in collaboration with Imperial College London, models the potential impact of gene-edited mosquitoes on malaria transmission in West Africa.

“We used comprehensive simulations to explore how gene drive technology could reduce malaria prevalence across diverse environmental settings,” said the Lead Author and Researcher at the University of Oxford, Dr Ace North.

The study analysed data from 16 locations spanning 13 malaria-endemic African countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, and Cameroon.

It found that deploying gene drives alongside traditional interventions, such as insecticide-treated bed nets and seasonal chemoprevention, could lead to a 71.6 per cent to 98.4 per cent reduction in mosquito populations.

This, in turn, could prevent up to 60 per cent more clinical malaria cases compared to existing methods, the report mentioned.

The co-Author and biostatistician at Imperial College London, Dr Penny Hancock, emphasised the dual focus of the research.

“Our model accounts for both the biological processes impacting mosquito populations and the epidemiological outcomes for human health. This approach ensures a comprehensive evaluation of gene drive technology,” she noted.

The study highlighted the importance of targeting multiple mosquito species, including Anopheles gambiae and An. funestus, to maximize impact.

While the technology doesn’t aim to permanently eliminate mosquito populations, researchers believe it offers a sustainable complement to existing malaria control strategies.

Gene drives work by introducing genetic modifications that spread rapidly through mosquito populations, reducing their ability to transmit malaria. With Africa accounting for 95 per cent of global malaria cases, this breakthrough represents a critical step toward eradicating the disease.