Can fungal biopesticides control malaria?

Matthew B. Thomas; Andrew F. Read

doi:10.1038/nrmicro1638

Can fungal biopesticides control malaria?

Matthew B. Thomas, Andrew F. Read

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

213 Scopus citations

Abstract

Recent research has raised the prospect of using insect fungal pathogens for the control of vector-borne diseases such as malaria. In the past, microbial control of insect pests in both medical and agricultural sectors has generally had limited success. We propose that it might now be possible to produce a cheap, safe and green tool for the control of malaria, which, in contrast to most chemical insecticides, will not eventually be rendered useless by evolution of resistance. Realizing this potential will require lateral thinking by biologists, technologists and development agencies.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	377-383
Number of pages	7
Journal	Nature Reviews Microbiology
Volume	5
Issue number	5
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1038/nrmicro1638
State	Published - May 2007

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

Microbiology
Immunology and Microbiology(all)
Infectious Diseases

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Access to Document

10.1038/nrmicro1638

Cite this

@article{0a666f5e06c7429bad044d65ef928615,

title = "Can fungal biopesticides control malaria?",

abstract = "Recent research has raised the prospect of using insect fungal pathogens for the control of vector-borne diseases such as malaria. In the past, microbial control of insect pests in both medical and agricultural sectors has generally had limited success. We propose that it might now be possible to produce a cheap, safe and green tool for the control of malaria, which, in contrast to most chemical insecticides, will not eventually be rendered useless by evolution of resistance. Realizing this potential will require lateral thinking by biologists, technologists and development agencies.",

author = "Thomas, {Matthew B.} and Read, {Andrew F.}",

note = "Funding Information: Our empirical work is funded by The Wellcome Trust. We are grateful to S. Blanford, K. Vernick and members of the Research Consortium for Novel and Sustainable Approaches of Adult Vector Control Based on Fungi, particularly M. Coetzee, C. Curtis, G. Killeen, B. Knols and W. Takken, for discussion and encouragement. This article was written while A.R. was at the Wissenshaftskolleg zu Berlin.",

year = "2007",

month = may,

doi = "10.1038/nrmicro1638",

language = "English (US)",

volume = "5",

pages = "377--383",

journal = "Nature Reviews Microbiology",

issn = "1740-1526",