Biotech Updates

Purdue Scientists Explore New Ways to Control Disease-Carrying Insects

February 3, 2012

Scientists at Purdue University are studying the next generation of insecticides for disease-carrying insects. The results of their study could help other researchers who are working on human health, veterinary, and crop production sectors.

According to researchers Catherine Hill and Val Watts, vector insects, or insects that carry and transmit infectious pathogens or parasites to other living organisms, are developing resistance to insecticides. They are now looking into key molecules in involved in feeding using genomic approaches.

"Targeting these receptors leads either to killing the insect or stopping it from feeding, which is how pathogens and parasites are spread," Hill said. Since they are focused on the DNA of the vector insects, insecticides developed through this precise method could be safer for humans and non-target organisms, and also less impact on the environment.

Read more about this study at http://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/research_park_foundation/2012/120130HillWattsInsecticide.html.