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TINY WOLBACHIA BACTERIA COULD SAVE MOMBASA FROM CHIKUNGUNYA AND DENGUE VIRUSES MOSQUITO DNA EXTRACTION & GEL ELECTROPHORESIS

Country:Kenya
Student(s):1. RANIYA SHIRRE 2. AINAAN QUADIR 3. SIEGFRIED KATUMWA 4. NATALIE SIJAH
Grade Level:Secondary School (grades 9-12, ages 14-18)
GLOBE Teacher:Kennedy Otieno
Contributors:Arushi Kevin Khushi Patel Chintali
Report Type(s):International Virtual Science Symposium Report, Mission Mosquito Report
Protocols:Mosquitoes
Presentation Poster: View Document
Optional Badges:I am a Collaborator, I am a Data Scientist, I make an Impact
Language(s):English
Date Submitted:03/09/2020
Using the PCR and gel electrophoresis method, we can test the wolbachia bacteria fragments present in mosquito DNA sample, after introducing the wolbachia-infected female mosquito in the wild. Wolbachia is a safe and natural occurring bacterium which is found in up to 60% of insect species. However it is not found in aedes aegypti hence transferring zika, chikungunya and dengue viruses. When the wolbachia is present it will consume most of the key molecules, hence making it harder for the growth of these viruses. As result, it will be more difficult for the viruses to be transmitted. Wolbachia does not have a negative effect on the environment, animals and humans as it is a natural occurring bacterium. Once there has been a successful integration of the wolbachia inside the mosquito gene, the specie can be cloned to produce the exact same/identical mosquitoes. Once a sufficient amount of cloned wolbachia-infected mosquitoes are made, they can be released in small amount to the wild to mate with other female mosquitoes that do not have wolbachia present in them. The mating would result in producing offsprings that are inherited with the wolbachia bacteria, hence reducing transmission of the viruses.



Comments

Well done!, the title, the questions, the methodology are consistent with the results obtained. The report is well organized, neat and well presented, the writing is clear. In the future include the protocols that could be used from GLOBE.