Eco-friendly and affordable molecular weaponry against snails that transmit schistosomiasis

Dear benefactors, I am planning to publish a report on our discovery of a simple, cheap, nutrition-based contraception method for these obnoxious snails. The method could be employed on a large scale in natural water bodies, and might make a big dent in Biomphalaria population numbers. I still have to compile some data, and analyze some video footage that will tell us whether snails are having sex but not laying eggs! This work has been on the back burner, since I'm not getting paid to do it. Meanwhile I am starting a new career designing, making, selling and explaining molecular biology puzzle-toys: new website is TeachDNA.NET ... and a kickstarter to defray startup costs is here: kck.st/48wsRmG Check it out, I hope you like it! Thanks again, and best wishes! Morgan G.

Let me know if you need anything else Dr. Goulding. I will be pleased to help you out in any way possible with the research.

I am looking forward to the scientific discoveries that will be made with this project.

Thanks to all for the generous support! The contributions made so far will go a long way toward funding the true cost of startup efforts. (This include child care expenses and two additional airplane seats!) Currently I am gearing up for the initial set of experiments. If these give promising results, further steps in the project will test feeding RNAi methods on several other Biomphalaria species as well as species of Bulinus (another planorbid) and Oncomelania (a weird, viviparous freshwater neogastropod), each of which can transmit schistosomiasis. Here's a funny photo: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oncomelania#/media/File:Oncomelania_minima.png

Good luck Morgan. I’m familiar with schisto and hope you make a big break through. Hello to your family. Heike