Gates Open Research

Background The increasing insecticide resistance of malaria vectors is an urgent concern for disease control and novel vector control strategies are needed. Wolbachia are endosymbiotic bacteria that can invade mosquito populations and reduce transmission of human pathogens. Wolbachia strains in wild Anopheles (An.) malaria vectors are rare, with only two known genuine symbioses;...

This paper presents a participatory method for conducing a collaborative and culturally appropriate dialogue process between gene drive researchers and Indigenous Peoples and local communities. Coordinated by the Outreach Network for Gene Drive Research and representatives of the International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity (IIFB), this dialogue aimed to build trust and facili...

Potency assays assess the functional integrity of a target antigen to ensure that the final drug product is consistent between the commercial and clinical trial lots. Existing mRNA-LNP vaccine potency assays require complex quantification methods, such as flow cytometry, which are not widely adaptable to routine use by low- and middle-income country (LMIC) manufacturers or Natio...

Background Menstrual cups are increasingly promoted in low-resource settings as long-lasting and cost-effective menstrual hygiene solutions. However, no studies have been done among cup users to characterize the bacterial communities found on cups with long-term use when stored. This study sought to comprehensively characterize the bacterial surface profile of the menstrual cup,...