Modeling of Mosquitoes with Transgenes or Genetically-modified Bacteria - Fighting Malaria

Abstract

To prevent malaria transmission, genetically-altered (transgenic) mosquitoes, or mosquitoes carrying genetically-modified bacteria, that are resistant to malaria infection, become an effective weapon. To study the impact of these mosquitoes mixing with wild mosquitoes, we formulate simple mathematical models of interactive wild and transgenic mosquitoes, based on systems of difference equations. We consider both dominant and recessive transgenes, or include horizontal and vertical transmissions of genetically-modified bacteria. With fundamental analysis of the model equations, we investigate their interactive dynamics of the different types of mosquitoes, and demonstrate rich dynamical features of the models by numerical examples.

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

3:00– 4:00 P.M.

372 Science and Engineering Building

(Refreshments at 2:30-3:00 PM in the kitchen area adjacent to 368 SEB)