Global Change , One Bug at a Time
Insect-borne diseases have ravaged populations around the world for centuries . Every year , malaria alone causes an estimated 450,000 deaths worldwide , and in countries like India , the effects are especially profound . Yet a recent gift from India ’ s Tata Trusts has established the Tata Institute for Genetics and Society ( TIGS ), an international partnership that could eradicate diseases like malaria , Zika and dengue fever .
INDIA , AFRICA & THE AMERICAS
Led by developmental psychologist Anita Raj , the Center on Gender Equity and Health at UC San Diego School of Medicine is dedicated to empowering communities around the world to develop healthy , safe , economically secure and equitable societies .
With a main research hub in India , active studies are also being held on partner violence and HIV risk in Uganda , reproductive and maternal health in Niger and Honduras , and the sexual violence and exploitation of women and girls around the U . S . -Mexico border .
At the Institute ’ s heart is a powerful new technology conceived and developed by UC San Diego biologists Ethan Bier and Valentino Gantz . Called Active Genetics , the technology allows for 100 percent transfer of genetic edits from one generation to another , making it possible for nearly all of the offspring to possess a desired trait . In India , researchers will be developing malaria-free mosquitoes and leveraging Active Genetics to transfer the immunity to their descendants .
While insect-borne diseases are the most immediate and widest-ranging application , Active Genetics shows further promise in areas from improving the yield and resilience of agricultural crops to the development of cancer treatments and methods to combat antibiotic resistance .
TIGS-UC San Diego is the lead entity , while TIGS-India , a partner organization , has begun operations at the Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine ( InStem ) on the campus of the National Centre for Biological Sciences in Bangalore , India . Together , they will work on creating public policies , exploring ethical uses of the technology and initiating public education and engagement .
BANGLADESH , SRI LANKA & VIETNAM
Between the UC San Diego School of Medicine and Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences , certain endemic diseases may soon become more manageable :
• Sharon Reed ’ s clinical trial in Bangladesh is testing a common rheumatoid arthritis drug against the parasitic amoeba that causes dysentery .
• Joseph Vinetz is working with researchers in Sri Lanka , Peru and Brazil to find ways to prevent , diagnose and treat leptospirosis , malaria and other infectious diseases .
• Jennifer Le implemented a new therapeutic antibiotic monitoring program , providing access and training for doctors and pharmacists in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam .
SRI LANKA
— Mario Aguilera ’ 89 36 TRITON | WINTER 2018