Scientists in Shanghai said yesterday that they are conducting research to detect a specific gene in plants that causes a "mosquito-repellent" effect.
When the gene is found, they hope to apply the discovery to alter the genetic character of any grass or tree so that those plants can produce a mosquito-repelling smell to drive away bugs.
"Hopefully, we will discover such genetic material in two years," said Du Jiawei, a professor at the Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, who heads more than 10 researchers on the project.
If the team's research bears fruit, the mosquito -- an unwelcome guest in the summer -- will not be a source of worry at local parks and greenlands.
"I think it's a brand-new field of study in China to locate a gene related to a special smell," said Du, adding the team has already developed a set of technology on smell research.
The team spent three years developing a facility for analyzing the accurate ingredients in "odors." What's more, Du has already found several genes in plants that assist the formation of mosquito-repelling smells.
But he acknowledged that progress will largely depend on whether he can get some 2 million yuan (US$240,963) in subsidy from the government.
Some natural mosquito-repellent plants, such as evening primrose and lemongrass, are already being used in local residences though the technical reason behind the plants' special function remains unknown. To unlock the mystery, Du is trying to deduce the candidate genes among tens of thou-sands of plant genes from the ingredients inside the weird smell.
He insisted, however, that the future "genetically modified" plants will not harm people because they won't produce any poisonous effect but simply make the mosquitoes dizzy.
(Eastday.com August 16, 2003)
