Overview

• Harvard researchers identified two potent mitochondrial inhibitors from a screen of 81 compounds that block malaria parasite development in mosquitoes.
• Prototypes of bed nets infused with these compounds killed 100% of Plasmodium parasites at low doses and retained efficacy after one year of storage.
• The compounds, embedded into bed nets using coating and extrusion methods, remain effective against insecticide-resistant Anopheles mosquitoes.
• This approach targets parasites within mosquitoes without killing the vector, reducing the risk of insecticide resistance and extending net lifespan.
• Next steps include safety evaluations, cost-effectiveness analyses, and field trials to prepare for potential large-scale deployment in malaria-endemic regions.