Fine-scale analysis of candidate genes associated with pyrethroid resistance in the malaria vector Anopheles funestus by target enrichment Next-Generation Sequencing (360G-Wellcome-083515_Z_07_A)

Pyrethroid resistance in the malaria vector Anopheles funestus is disrupting malaria control in southern Africa and, unless barriers to reproduction occur, there are fears that this resistance front could spread very rapidly across the whole of Africa. As a contribution toward the improvement of our ability to control this vector, the aim of this proposal is to characterize the metabolic resistance to pyrethroid insecticides in field populations of An. funestus. Ultimately, the goal is to develo p a simple molecular assay that can be routinely employed for monitoring and evaluation in insecticide resistance management programs. The project encompasses three broad aims: Aim 1 is to identify the major pyrethroid resistance genes in field populations of An. funestus by using association and QTL mapping approaches. Aim 2 is to functionally characterize all candidate genes in QTL regions by quantitative PCR, in vitro expression and assessing candidate genes interaction with pyrethroids and finally by confirming their in vivo role by RNA interference experiment. Aim 3 is to design a diagnostic monitoring tool for insecticide resistance in field population of An. funestus. This project will be facilitated by the tools for this genetically intractable species which I generated during my postdoctoral research activities.