Infravec2, the European Union-funded source for vector research products and services for scientists, launched new online resources in June regarding mosquito colonies that were previously unavailable and new arbovirus-infected mosquito combinations, among others.
Composed of 24 partner institutions and led by the Institut Pasteur, Infravec2 develops and shares research products and services that advance insect vector research.
“The Infravec2 team is currently offering multiple new products via its upgraded online shopping site along with various new facility access options,” an Institut Pasteur release stated. “These products include colonies of mosquitoes not previously available, new technologies to study malaria parasites in mosquitoes and new combinations of arbovirus-infected mosquitoes. New opportunities for researchers to work in top-level facilities on different disease vectors, including the sandfly, are also posted on the site.”
New resources are available for Anopheles atroparvus mosquito colonies that were a major source of malaria in Europe through the mid-1970s. The species could begin transmitting malaria again, and it could begin transmitting new viruses like West Nile, Institut Pasteur noted.
“Another new offering is technology to study mosquito transmission of Plasmodium falciparum, the parasite responsible for human malaria, a disease affecting over 200 million people each year,” Institut Pasteur stated. “Researchers can test the effect of potential drugs and mosquito control compounds in a special membrane-feeding assay.”
New capabilities also enable researchers to access rare and unique facilities to conduct experiments on insecticides or vector infection.