Genetic technologies for disease vectors

•The first genetic technologies for insect vectors of disease were introduced 20 years ago.•Today there are 12 classes of genetic technologies being used in insect vectors of disease and they are increasingly important functional genomics tools.•Most technology applications have been in mosquitoes although other insect systems could benefit from current technologies.•Technology delivery to cells and tissues of interest is the major technical constraint that limits widespread adoption of these technologies and not the ability of various technological platforms to function in diverse arthropods.•Increased community resources of various types would enhance the adoption of these technologies.

The first genetic technologies for insect vectors of disease were introduced 20 years ago. As of today there are 12 classes of genetic technologies used as functional genomic tools for insect vectors of important diseases. Although the applications of genetic technologies in insect disease vectors have been conducted primarily in mosquitoes, other insect systems could benefit from current technologies. While the various technological platforms are likely to function in diverse arthropods, the delivery of these technologies to cells and tissues of interest is the major technical constraint that limits their widespread adoption. Increased community resources of various types would enhance the adoption of these technologies and potentially eliminate technical limitations.