The anchor and the architect: Merging gene drive, membrane tethering and generative
AI
for next‐generation vector control
Yanan Wei, Yanying Sun, Jeong Kyu Bang, Woo Jae Kim Abstract
The recent success of gene drive mosquitoes suppressing malaria signals a new era in vector control. Yet, reliance on secreted, natural peptides poses risks of instability, host toxicity and resistance evolution. We propose synthesizing two transformative technologies to overcome these limits: generative AI for de novo peptide design and precision membrane tethering. Proof‐of‐concept work shows tethering antimicrobial peptides to the gut epithelium boosts potency 100‐fold. Converging these approaches enables engineering of ‘smart’ immune barriers—AI‐designed peptides optimized for stability and specificity, anchored to create impassable surfaces for pathogens. This ‘t‐AMP’ platform potentially offers a durable, fitter and broadly applicable strategy, extending rational vector engineering from mosquitoes to ticks and sandflies, revolutionizing control of multiple neglected diseases.