蜜芽传媒

Researchers at Swansea University say they have found a way of reprogramming the bacteria that live on certain insects to stop them breeding. They say they have successfully used this new 'Trojan horse' technology on the 'kissing bug' (Rhodnius prolixus) which causes Chagas disease. Professor Paul Dyson tells Julian Marshall that he hopes this technology could be used to combat the Aedes Aegypti mosquito that carries the Zika virus and is thought to cause deformities in unborn babies.

(Photo: An egg of the blood-sucking 'kissing bug' surrounded by bacteria. Swansea University research shows that bacteria can be used as a 'Trojan horse' to reduce the spread of disease-bearing insects.

Credit: Dr Miranda Whitten, Swansea University)