Publications by authors named "Reem A Masri"
Background: Understanding genome organization and evolution is important for species involved in transmission of human diseases, such as mosquitoes. Anophelinae and Culicinae subfamilies of mosquitoes show striking differences in genome sizes, sex chromosome arrangements, behavior, and ability to transmit pathogens. However, the genomic basis of these differences is not fully understood.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- Escalating vector disease burdens, particularly from mosquitoes, necessitate innovative tools for tackling these health risks, with CRISPR-Cas technologies emerging as a key player in genetic manipulation.
- While traditional CRISPR-Cas9 systems have been effective for DNA targeting, they are ineffective against RNA viruses, leading to the development of the Cas13 family as a promising tool for RNA targeting.
- The study introduces REAPER, an antiviral strategy that activates in mosquitoes to destroy viral RNA, significantly reducing virus replication and even killing infected mosquitoes, thereby enhancing efforts to combat virus transmission through these vectors.
Mosquito-borne illnesses represent a significant global health peril, resulting in approximately one million fatalities annually. West Nile, dengue, Zika, and malaria are continuously expanding their global reach, driven by factors that escalate mosquito populations and pathogen transmission. Innovative control measures are imperative to combat these catastrophic ailments.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEscalating vector disease burdens pose significant global health risks, so innovative tools for targeting mosquitoes are critical. We engineered an antiviral strategy termed REAPER (vNA xpression ctivates oisonous ffector ibonuclease) that leverages the programmable RNA-targeting capabilities of CRISPR Cas13 and its potent collateral activity. Akin to a stealthy Trojan Horse hiding in stealth awaiting the presence of its enemy, REAPER remains concealed within the mosquito until an infectious blood meal is up taken.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- * Researchers analyzed 276 specimens from various U.S. locations and created a reliable method using ITS2 sequences for species identification, leading to a phylogenetic tree of Anopheles species.
- * Findings showed consistent ITS2 sequence length without variation, indicating An. punctipennis is a single species across the examined areas, and identified its close relationship with other mosquitoes in the Maculipennis complex.
Article Synopsis
- - Long-read sequencing technologies are enhancing research on mosquito genomes, helping scientists understand how these insects transmit diseases.
- - Cytogenetic mapping using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is vital for connecting genomic data to specific chromosomes, especially in complex genomes with repetitive DNA.
- - This study introduces a new method for gene-based physical mapping, which successfully uses complementary DNA and specific protein-coding genes to create accurate chromosome maps for mosquitoes, with potential applications in other insect species.
Background: The Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus is globally expanding and has become the main vector for human arboviruses in Europe. With limited antiviral drugs and vaccines available, vector control is the primary approach to prevent mosquito-borne diseases. A reliable and accurate DNA sequence of the Ae.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- The study focuses on the genetic differences and population structures of two West Nile virus vectors, Culex pipiens pipiens and Cx. p. molestus, to understand their roles in disease transmission.
- Researchers sequenced and analyzed the whole genomes of 40 mosquitoes from Eurasia and North America, revealing two distinct genetic clusters for these subspecies.
- Findings indicate that Cx. p. pipiens and Cx. p. molestus are separate evolutionary entities with unique adaptations, showing significant genomic differentiation and evidence of early ecological speciation.