Genetically modify mosquitoes so they can't spread diseases such as malaria and dengue virus.

FORBES: Chutzpah Science

Singapore is entering its peak dengue season, from May to October, in which warmer temperatures help the dengue virus multiply faster.

WSJ: Dengue Fever on the Rise in Singapore

The firm plans to use some of the smallpox proceeds to help develop its experimental vaccines for West Nile virus and dengue fever.

FORBES: Biotechs See Dollar Signs In War

These diseases, ranging from dengue fever and malaria to West Nile virus and yellow fever, are the cause of millions of deaths worldwide, yet control methods have become a dilemma due to the development of resistance by mosquitoes and increased concern about health and environmental hazards.

FORBES: Mosquitoes And Malaria In India Are No Match For This Teen Girl Scientist

At the same time, new outbreaks of dengue fever on the Mexican side of the Texas-Mexico border had US officials worried that the virus would slowly spread north.

BBC: US & Canada