From March 17 to 20, Ghana’s capital city, Accra, hosted the 2nd Global Congress on New and Emerging Genetic Biocontrol Technologies – a leading international conference that brought together scientists, regulators, and communicators from across the African continent and beyond. Centered around the theme “Harnessing Genetic Biocontrol Potential Solutions in a Changing Climate”, the goal of the event was to share learnings and discuss advancements in genetic biocontrol – an innovative field which is particularly relevant to the fight against vector-borne diseases.
Organized by the African Genetic Biocontrol Consortium, in collaboration with Ghana’s National Biosafety Authority, and the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH), the four-day event began with two days of pre-courses covering three key topics:
- Regulatory Frameworks and Decision-Making Processes for Emerging Biotechnologies
- Communicating Genetic Biocontrol Technologies
- Principles and Practices of Biosafety and Biosecurity for High-Containment Facilities
The final two days were dedicated to the congress itself. I had the opportunity to participate in the session: “Innovations and Implications in Vector Control”. My presentation focused on introducing the African Center for Excellence in Molecular Engineering (ACEME), which aims to support global efforts to develop new approaches for vector control by providing a platform for African researchers to learn advanced skills in molecular engineering. I spoke about the capacity-building partnership between ACEME and Keele University, which is strengthening our team’s expertise in the development of genetically modified mosquitoes as a potential tool to control mosquito-borne diseases.
Discussions at the conference opened the door for closer collaboration between African researchers and international colleagues working in the field. Several speakers shared their experience and research on new tools that could be used to control insects that carry disease. Among the topics discussed, the use of gene drive technologies generated significant interest.
Gene drive is a genetic phenomenon that causes a selected trait to spread rapidly through a species via sexual reproduction over several generations. Gene drive systems can be leveraged to modify mosquitoes, such as those who transmit malaria, and either reduce their ability to transmit the disease or reduce their numbers overtime. Although these technologies have not yet been used in the field, they represent a promising approach that could help reduce the spread of vector-borne diseases in Africa, where mosquitoes pose a constant threat to public health.
Overall, the congress reinforced the idea that effective vector control requires a holistic approach – one that combines scientific advances, strong regulatory frameworks, stakeholder engagement, and effective communication with local communities.
