We are the University of California Malaria Initiative (UCMI)
UCMI is a collaborative initiative comprising researchers from four University of California campuses (Irvine, Davis, San Diego, Berkeley) and Johns Hopkins University, who are dedicated to the elimination of malaria
UCMI researchers work to eliminate human malaria by modifying mosquito populations to prevent malaria transmission. We work in partnership and collaboration with local scientists, public health officials, government officials and communities in an ethical and transparent manner.
Malaria is a disease caused by protozoan parasites which is transmitted to humans by the bites of infected female mosquitoes.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that in 2020 there were 241 million cases and 627,000 deaths worldwide.
Eliminating malaria, not mosquitoes
UCMI is working to eliminate malaria using genetic technologies to modify target mosquito populations to prevent malaria transmission. This is called “population modification” (also known as population replacement). It eliminates the ability of the mosquito to transmit malaria; it does not eliminate the mosquitoes.
Source: World Health Organization