Researchers at the Johns Hopkins MalariaResearch Institute have genetically modifieda bacterium commonly found in themosquito’s midgut and found that theparasite that causes malaria in people doesnot survive in mosquitoes carrying themodified bacterium. The bacterium, Pantoeaagglomerans, was modified to secreteproteins toxic to the malaria parasite, butthe toxins do not harm the mosquito orhumans.With the study, Jacobs-Lorena and his colleaguesfound that the engineered P. agglomerans strainsinhibited development of the deadliest humanmalaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum and rodentmalaria parasite Plasmodium berghei by up to 98percent within the mosquito.Researchers demonstrate the use of an engineered symbioticbacterium to interfere with the development of P.falciparum in the mosquito. These findings providethe foundation for the use of genetically modifiedsymbiotic bacteria as a powerful tool to combatmalaria.Culled from: Genetically EngineeredBacteria Prevent Mosquitoesfrom Transmitting Malaria http/:www.jhsph.edu/news/news-releases/2012/jacobs-lorena-bacteria.html