IAEA launched new project RER 5026 "Strengthening the capacity to integrate the technique of sterile insects in the efficient management of invasive mosquitoes Aedes" 2021-2023; with University of Montenegro, Biotechnical Faculty participation
In the age of the SARS CoV 2 pandemic, it is important to realize that this virus is not alone as a threat, especially in the Mediterranean area. It should be in mind that many other, potential, dangerous diseases can be transmitted, especially by vectors. The danger posed by vectors, before and above all mosquitoes, which existed before and will continue after the current pandemic, was also taken into account by the IAEA International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna. In the period 2016-2020, IAEA funded the RER 5022 project "Establishing Genetic Control Programs for Aedes Invasive Mosquitoes" in which the University of Montenegro, Biotechnical Faculty participated, as well as colleagues from Italy, France, Portugal, Greece, Albania, Cyprus, Serbia and Turkey.
In the mentioned period, more precisely during vegetation period in 2018 and 2019, the associates of the Biotechnical Faculty under the leadership of doc.dr Pajović Igor conducted MRR (mark-release-recapture) experiments on Luštica and thus positioned Montenegro in the 2nd group of countries where sterilized mosquitoes are used for reduction of natural populations, ie mosquito control (by gradation from level 0 / beginning to level 3 / effective use of SIT - Sterile Insects Technique).
At 18th of February the IAEA launched a new project RER 5026 “Enhancing the Capacity to Integrate Sterile Insect Technique in the Effective Management of Invasive Aedes Mosquitoes” as a continuation of both work and collaboration, which is planned to last from 2021 to 2023. Due to restrictions due to the pandemic, an online First Coordination Meeting of a new project was held in which, in addition to partners with RER 5022, colleagues from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Spain are also participating. An important goal is to create conditions in the coming period for SIT to enter the phase of operational use.