Scientists Achieve Landmark Breakthrough in the Fight Against Malaria

“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,” said Dickson Wilson Lwetoijera, Programme Director at IHI. “We are proud to be driving innovation locally, using cutting-edge tools to address one of our continent’s most pressing health challenges.”

This milestone represents a powerful new model for global health research, one led and owned by African institutions. Transmission Zero, an international research programme that is working towards new genetic tools for malaria elimination, has trained a new generation of Tanzanian scientists in molecular biology, vector genetics, and biosafety, ensuring that scientific discovery and leadership remain firmly rooted in Africa.

“This study is not about technology alone. It’s about leadership, responsibility, and partnership,” said George K. Christophides of Imperial College London. “It shows what is possible when African institutions lead, and international collaborators support.”

Malaria: a persistent threat

According to the latest World Malaria Report from the World Health Organization (WHO), Tanzania is one of four countries that together account for over 50% of all malaria deaths globally, with nearly 93% 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. 

Lwetoijera added that in line with global guidelines and policy by the WHO, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), and the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), and a supportive and responsible Tanzanian regulatory landscape, his team are setting their own agenda in the fight against malaria.

Science made in Tanzania

In 2023, Transmission Zero’s leading researchers created the first transgenic mosquito strain ever developed in Africa, in Tanzania. Its latest research offers a new solution by genetically modifying Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes (malaria carrying mosquitoes) to block the development of malaria parasites, effectively reducing their ability to transmit the disease.

This approach allows these precise changes in the mosquitoes' ability to carry the malaria parasite to be passed down from one mosquito generation to the next. 

These findings on Anopheles gambiae are the pathfinder for the technology to be extended to other equally important malaria vectors such as Anopheles arabiensis and Anopheles funestus, as well as vectors of diseases such as dengue and chikungunya.

Conducted entirely under containment, the study introduced antimalarial traits - naturally occurring molecules from frogs and honeybees - into local mosquito populations. The modified mosquitoes effectively prevented Plasmodium falciparum, the primary malaria parasite in Africa, from developing, creating a significant barrier to transmission.

Built on local expertise and trust

“We build trust through conversation, transparency, and partnership with the people whose lives this research aims to improve,” said Lwetoijera.

The research was conducted in a state-of-the-art Modular Portable Laboratory and Containment Level 3 insectary facility (MPL/CL3) built specifically for this research at the IHI campus. This facility, designed to meet high biosafety standards, enables local researchers to lead genetic engineering efforts and ensures that the technology is developed responsibly and transparently within Tanzania. 

“Swiss TPH supported the establishment of the portable laboratory as well as doctoral training of key local staff that helped made this breakthrough possible,” said Sarah Moore, Group Leader of New Vector Control Interventions at Swiss TPH. “Our focus has always been on strengthening local capacity and ensuring that advanced research can be done safely, ethically, and sustainably in Tanzania. This milestone shows how long-term partnerships translate into lasting scientific independence.”

“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,” concluded Lwetoijera.

Next steps

While the results are promising, 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.

About Transmission Zero

Transmission Zero is an international research programme working to develop innovative genetic tools to help eliminate malaria in Africa. By genetically modifying mosquitoes to block the malaria parasite from being passed to humans, the programme aims to stop malaria transmission at its source. Led by Imperial College London in partnership with Swiss TPH, the Ifakara Health Institute and the National Institute for Medical Research (both in Tanzania), Transmission Zero is committed to advancing African-led science that is safe, equitable, and designed in close collaboration with communities. The programme is supported by the Gates Foundation.

The publication

Habtewold, T., Lwetoijera, D.W., Hoermann, A. et al. Gene-drive-capable mosquitoes suppress patient-derived malaria in Tanzania. Nature (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-09685-6

Contact

For more information or media enquiries contact: tzero@africanmediaagency.com