New genes necessary for the production of eggs in the insect vector of Chagas disease

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The high prevalence of neglected vector-borne diseases, such as Chagas Disease and Dengue Fever, imposes enormous health and financial burdens in developing countries. Historically, and still, to this day, the main effective methods to manage those diseases rely on vector populational control. Studies regarding the complex physiology of local vector species were weakened by the expanding use of insecticide-based tools, which were, at the time, proven simpler and more effective. Currently, however, the rising threat of insecticide resistance and climate change (which can expand endemic areas) have reemphasized the need to rely on thorough species-specific vector biology. Thus, studies like this are of vital importance to allow the generation of novel strategies for vector population control and disease management.

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