Assessing the risk of Mosquito by identifying the genetics basis of their host parents (GBHP)

Broadly, this research aims to identify genetic markers of host preference in the malaria vector mosquito Anopheles arabiensis, to be integrated into malaria entomological monitoring protocols to assess the current, and predict future, human biting risk of Anopheles arabiensis populations associated with human habitation so that, appropriate selection and applications of vectors control could be implemented to impact malaria control and even speed up elimination in the regions.

In order to achieve its main objective, the specific objectives of this project include:

i) To identify potential genetic markers for anthropophily and zoophily in Anopheles arabiensis mosquitoes;

ii) To verify host preference genetic markers

iii) To demonstrate the efficiency of genetic markers at detecting host change via genotype;

iv) To confirm the correlation between host preference genotype and phenotype of Anopheles arabiensis.#