The Wire

A research team has uncovered just how a mosquito’s immune system operates – turns out it uses a special protein named ‘Vago.’ The unique anti-viral immunity could be a key to solving bio-security issues relating to mosquito-born diseases.

The team is hoping with further research they can help put a stop to diseases such as West Nile Virus, Dengue Fever and Japanese Encephalitis, but its application could go beyond just the simple needle or vaccine. The team’s aim is to adapt the proteins in the mosquitoes themselves, thereby reducing the spread.