Nerdy Science Blog

Japan researchers turned mosquitoes into ‘flying vaccinators’.  The research was led by molecular geneticist Professor Shigeto Yoshida of Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan.  Scientists modified mosquitoes’ DNA to include antigen (a substance that will stimulate immune reaction) into the tiny drop of saliva that is injected into victim when bitten by mosquitoes.  Scientists are still working on an effective malaria vaccine and this study is a ‘proof of concept’.  The flying insects are not yet to be released due to regulatory and ethical problem.  The study is published in April issue of Insect Molecular Biology.

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A young researcher Dr Kevin Ng from Sabah, Malaysia has won the Japan International Award 2009 for Young Agricultural Researchers at University of Tokyo, Japan.  The award was presented by Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery (MAFF).

Dr Kevin Ng joined Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) as a researcher in August 1999 after graduating from Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS).  He works at the FRIM Biotechnology Division Genetics Laboratory ever since and wins the award at age 34.  The award is accredited to those with outstanding contribution to technological development for improvement of food security and environment in developing countries.  Dr Ng’s outstanding performance and innovative research achievements in the field of spatial structure and impact of logging on selected tropical tree species’ genetic diversity wins him the award.

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The Africa one is kind of insulting, I don’t reckon that. The Japan one is funny. Transformers!

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