The GeneConvene Virtual Institute:

An initiative of the GeneConvene Global Collaborative,
Within the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health
Aggregates, curates and shares knowledge to advance understanding of genetic biocontrol technologies, such as gene drive, as well as selfish genetic elements found throughout nature.

GeneConvene YouTube Channel

Current State of the Art: Gene Drive Technologies 2022

A Malaria Day 2022 Lecture organized by Emory University and The Carter Center.

Upcoming Meeting

URL Genetic Biocontrol Gordon Conference

Register Now!

This meeting will be in-person!

All forms of genetic biocontrol

Opportunities for discussion and exchange of ideas

Click me

The Carl Storm Underrepresented Minority Fellowship

The Carl Storm International Diversity Fellowship

Go to Meeting Site

Committed to contributing and expanding Africa’s self-determination through research, development, and use of genetic biocontrol approaches to control and eliminate malaria and other vector-borne diseases in Africa.

A network of world-leading researchers from Europe, Africa, North America and Australasia who are committed to understanding gene drive governance

Frequently Asked Questions

Search Virtual Institute

Gene Drive Basics

History of Gene Drive

GeneConvene Webinars

Newsletter Archive

GeneConvene Virtual Institute eNewsletter

GeneConvene Webinar Series

Registration

View Recorded Webinars Here

The Latest About Gene Drive and Genetic Biocontrol

The GeneConvene Virtual Institute is built on a database of content in the categories shown in the tab labels below. Content coming into the Virtual Institute in these categories can be seen in each tab as well as all of the content in each of the categories, organized chronologically.

Intronic gRNAs for the Construction of Minimal Gene Drive Systems

A. Nash, P. Capriotti, A. Hoermann, P. A. Papathanos and N. Windbichler, Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, 10. 2022.

Gene drives are promising tools for the genetic control of insect vector or pest populations. CRISPR-based gene drives are generally highly complex synthetic constructs consisting of multiple transgenes and their respective regulatory elements. This complicates the generation of new gene drives and the testing of the behavior of their constituent functional modules. Here, we explored the minimal genetic components needed to constitute autonomous gene drives in Drosophila melanogaster. We first designed intronic gRNAs that can be located directly within coding transgene sequences and tested their functions in cell lines. We then integrated a Cas9 open reading frame hosting such an intronic gRNA within the Drosophila rcd-1r locus that drives the expression in the male and female germlines. We showed that upon removal of the fluorescent transformation marker, the rcd-1r<sup>d</sup> allele supports efficient gene drive. We assessed the propensity of this driver, designed to be neutral with regards to fitness and host gene function, to propagate in caged fly populations. Because of their simplicity, such integral gene drives could enable the modularization of drive and effector functions. We also discussed the possible biosafety implications of minimal and possibly recoded gene drives.

More related to this:

Gene Drives: Experience with gene drive systems that may inform an environmental risk assessment

Driven to Exterminate

Gene drives: The good, the bad, and the hype

Principles for gene drive research

Gene drives accelerate evolution – but we need brakes

Search the knowledgebase > | Disclaimer >

Scholarly Literature.

Scholarly Literature

This is an aggregation of scholarly literature from peer-reviewed journals, bioRxiv , medRxiv and arXiv preprint serversfocused on natural and engineered selfish genetic elements and genetic biocontrol. New citations are added as they appear. This content is intended for anyone interested in the scholarly literature on gene drive and genetic biocontrol.

View all Scholarly Literature > | Search the knowledgebase > | Disclaimer >

	Elimination of a closed population of the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti, through releases of self-limiting male mosquitoes P. B. Patil, S. K. Dasgupta, K. Gorman, A. Pickl-Herk, M. Puinean, A. McKemey, B. Char, U. B. Zehr and S. R. Barwale, PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 16:e0010315. 2022. Author summary Aedes aegypti L. species is the primary vector responsible for transmission of the dengue virus worldwide including chikungunya, yellow fever and Zika virus. The experiment presented in the manuscript represents a study undertaken to demonstrate suppression of the ...
	Bayesian network-based risk assessment of synthetic biology: Simulating CRISPR-Cas9 gene drive dynamics in invasive rodent management E. A. Brown, S. R. Eikenbary and W. G. Landis, Risk Analysis, 2022. Gene drive technology has been proposed to control invasive rodent populations as an alternative to rodenticides. However, this approach has not undergone risk assessment that meets criteria established by Gene Drives on the Horizon, a 2016 report by the National Academies of ...
	Aquatic invasive species specialists’ perceptions on the importance of genetic tools and concepts to inform management T. A. Bernos, K. M. Jeffries and N. E. Mandrak, Biological Invasions, 24:1863-1879. 2022. Perceptions related to the importance of genetic research influence the mobilization of genetic tools and concepts to inform conservation actions. Research characteristics, stakeholders’ perspectives, knowledge, and social linkages with geneticists influence the outcome of ...
	Simple, sensitive, and cost-effective detection of wAlbB Wolbachia in Aedes mosquitoes, using loop mediated isothermal amplification combined with the electrochemical biosensing method P. Thayanukul, B. Lertanantawong, W. Sirawaraporn, S. Charasmongkolcharoen, T. Chaibun, R. Jittungdee and P. Kittayapong, PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 16:e0009600. 2022. Author summary Mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue, chikungunya, zika, and yellow fever are transmitted to humans mainly by the bites of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Controlling the vectors of these diseases relies mostly on the use of insecticides. However, the efficiency has ...

View all Scholarly Literature > | Search the knowledgebase > | Disclaimer >

Media Coverage

This is a database of print and digital media coverage of gene drive technologies and genetic biocontrol-related topics. This database is intended to serve experts and non-experts by capturing how gene drive/genetic biocontrol technologies and issues around the technologies are being represented, discussed, debated and evaluated by publics.

View all Media Coverage > | Search the knowledgebase > | Disclaimer >

	Importation of the non gene drive genetically modified male bias mosquito strain into Burkina Faso A. Diabate, Target Malaria, 2022. On March 16 and 21, the team at the Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé (IRSS), Target Malaria’s partner institution in Burkina Faso, received packages containing live genetically modified mosquito eggs from Italy. The National Biosafety Agency (ANB) officers were at ...
	Self-Deleting Genes Could Control Mosquitoes And Prevent Vector-Borne Diseases A. Russell, Texas AM TODAY, 2022. Texas A&M AgriLife Research scientists are testing a technology to make temporary genetic modifications in mosquitoes that self-delete over time. The mechanism to make temporary genetic changes could be important for scientists hoping to modify mosquitoes in ways that help manage ...
	Mosquitoes Genetically Modified to Stop Disease Pass Early Test L. Rapaport, WebMD, 2022. Genetically modified mosquitoes released in the U.S. appear to have passed an early test that suggests they might one day help reduce the population of insects that transmit infectious diseases. As part of the test, scientists released nearly 5 million genetically engineered ...
	Self-eliminating Genes Tested on Disease-carrying Mosquitoes M. Taylor, Laboratory Equipment, 2022. There’s good reason why CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing is not allowed at the germline. While international commissions are working hard to make this a possibility, potential unknown effects further down the ancestry line raise concerns about the process. The insect equivalent of ...

View all Media Coverage > | Search the knowledgebase > | Disclaimer >

Risk, Regulation, and Policy

This is a collection of scholarly works, government and non-government documents and reports related to policy, risk assessment, and regulation of gene drive/genetic biocontrol technologies.

View all Policy, Regulation, and Risk > | Search the knowledgebase > | Disclaimer >

	Bayesian network-based risk assessment of synthetic biology: Simulating CRISPR-Cas9 gene drive dynamics in invasive rodent management E. A. Brown, S. R. Eikenbary and W. G. Landis, Risk Analysis, 2022. Gene drive technology has been proposed to control invasive rodent populations as an alternative to rodenticides. However, this approach has not undergone risk assessment that meets criteria established by Gene Drives on the Horizon, a 2016 report by the National Academies of ...
	Prescribing engagement in environmental risk assessment for gene drive technology S. Hartley, A. Kokotovich and C. McCalman, Regulation and Governance, 2022. Abstract Gene drive technology is a nascent biotechnology with the potential to purposefully alter or eliminate a species. There have been broad calls for engagement to inform gene drive governance. Over the past seven years, the gene drive community has been developing risk ...
	Opening up, closing down, or leaving ajar? How applications are used in engaging with publics about gene drive A. W. Russell, A. Stelmach, S. Hartley, L. Carter and S. Raman, Journal of Responsible Innovation, 2022. Public engagement and responsible innovation are strongly emphasised in gene drive research, together with the goal of addressing societal challenges, notably, malaria and environmental conservation. We aim to explore whether public engagement is used to ‘open up' or ‘close ...
	Could species-focused suppression of Aedes aegypti, the yellow fever mosquito, and Aedes albopictus, the tiger mosquito, affect interacting predators? An evidence synthesis from the literature J. A. S. Bonds, C. M. Collins and L.-C. Gouagna, Pest Management Science, 2022. The risks of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus nuisance and vector-borne diseases are rising and the adverse effects of broad-spectrum insecticide application has promoted species-specific techniques, such as sterile insect technique (SIT) and other genetic strategies, as ...

View all Policy, Regulation, and Risk >| Search the knowledgebase > | Disclaimer >

Events

There are no upcoming events.

There are no upcoming events.

Latest Past Events

June 8, 2021 at 11:00 am - 11:30 am EDT

Investigating the independence of stakeholder engagement activities

May 19, 2021 at 11:30 am - 12:30 pm EDT

Relative potential for harm of pathogens vectored by Anopheles gambiae s.l.

May 19, 2021 at 11:00 am - 11:30 am EDT

Laboratory methods to study mosquito infections with pathogens.

Webinars

A curated collection of webinarspertaining to gene drive/genetic biocontrol technologies.

View all Webinars >| Search the knowledgebase > | Disclaimer >

	Demystifying the Convention on Biological Diversity Hector Quemada and David O'Brochta, GeneConvene Global Collaborative, 2022. The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is an international agreement aimed at providing the legal framework for country cooperation to conserve biodiversity, while also enabling its sustainable use, and providing for fair and equitable sharing of the benefits derived from ...
	Genetic Drive Systems in Nature David O'Brochta and Hector Quemada, GeneConvene Global Collaborative, 2022. Intra genomic genetic conflicts are ubiquitous in nature and have shaped and continue to shape the evolution of plants, animals, and microbes. These conflicts can result in preferential transmission - drive - of genes, various genetic elements, and even whole chromosomes. ...
	Decision and Analysis Tools for Complex Problems Hector Quemada and David O'Brochta, GeneConvene Global Collaborative, 2021. The challenges associated with the multiple phases of testing and possible deployment of gene drive-containing organisms appear to have similarities to those associated with various aspects of invasive species management. Preventing unwanted spread of the target species as well ...
	Controlling Gene Drives David O'Brochta and Hector Quemada, GeneConvene Global Collaborative, 2021. Some gene drive technologies being explored in the laboratory for possible use in the control and elimination of malaria in Africa are predicted to efficiently spread and persist indefinitely following their initial release into an environment containing the targeted mosquito ...

View all Webinars >| Search the knowledgebase > | Disclaimer >

Videos

Video

A curated collection of videos pertaining to gene drive/genetic biocontrol technologies. Included are videos and recorded webinars.

View all Video >| Search the knowledgebase > | Disclaimer >

	The power of gene editing The Economist, The Economist, 2022. Technologies such as genetic modification and ‘CRISPR’ will cure hereditary diseases, produce disease-resistant crops and enable the breeding of malaria-free mosquitos. But advances bring ethical and practical dilemmas. Genetically modified food is banned in the EU, and ...
	In Real Life: GMOsquitoes Newsy, Newsy, 2021. The release of genetically modified mosquitoes in Florida gives hope of reducing the spread of disease while causing concerns among some citizens.
	Unique effort underway to control deadly mosquitos in Florida Keys K. Corso and L. Aguirre, Local10.com, 2021. According to the World Health Organization, more than 50% of the world’s population is under the threat of mosquito borne diseases. In South Florida, the Keys are a hot spot for infection and now the first place in the United States for a novel approach to eradicating these ...
	West African countries working together to develop framework to regulate genetically engineered mosquitos: Target Malaria Anonymous, Global News, 2021. Abdoulaye Diabaté, principal investigator for Target Malaria, says West African countries like Burkina Faso, Mali and Benin are working with the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) to develop a pan-West African framework to regulate gene drive mosquitos.

View all Video >| Search the knowledgebase > | Disclaimer >

Podcasts

A curated collection of podcasts pertaining to gene drive/genetic biocontrol technologies.

View all Podcasts >| Search the knowledgebase > | Disclaimer >

	Genetically-Modified Mosquitos Could Soon Be Released in California A. Madrigal, KQED, 2022. Millions of genetically-modified, non-biting mosquitoes may soon be set loose in California after federal regulators gave the green light to a study aimed at preventing transmission of diseases like Zika and dengue. British biotech firm Oxitech says its technology alters male ...
	Will genetic modification of mosquitoes take a bite out of insects’ population? N. Patel, KCRW, 2022. An invasive species of aggressive “ankle biters” called the Aedes aegypti mosquito is now in LA, and it’s spreading quickly. These tiny vampires can lay eggs in a space as small as a water-filled bottle cap, and they carry diseases like yellow fever and dengue. A British ...
	An army of genetically engineered mosquitoes is about to be released M. Menard, KNX NEWS, 2022. A British biotech company has been altering the DNA of mosquitoes with the goal of killing off a more dangerous breed capable of spreading deadly diseases. And now they’re preparing to release their “friendly mosquitoes” into the wild. In California. Aedes aegypti is an ...
	Podcast: How do you solve a problem like malaria? A. Jha, The Economist, 2022. SQUASHING MALARIA could, over the next three decades, save as many lives as covid-19 has taken. We explore new ways to fight infections: from the introduction of the first malaria vaccines, to genetically modified mosquitoes

View all Podcasts >| Search the knowledgebase > | Disclaimer >

Perspectives

This is a curated collection of scholarly and non-scholarly materials that can be found in the Scholarly Literature and Media Coverage databases that are ‘opinion-heavy’. This collection is intended to capture the full range of thought and opinion about gene drive technologies.

View all Perspectives > | Search the knowledgebase > | Disclaimer >

	New weapons to fight malaria transmission: A historical view W. Huang, S.-J. Cha and M. Jacobs-Lorena, Entomological Research, 2022. The stagnation of our fight against malaria in recent years, mainly due to the development of mosquito insecticide resistance, argues for the urgent development of new weapons. The dramatic evolution of molecular tools in the last few decades led to a better understanding of ...
	The Financialisation of Malaria in Africa: Burkina Faso, rogue capital & GM/gene drive mosquitoes S. Mentz-Lagrange and S. Swanepoel, African Centre for Biodiversity, 2022. This paper seeks to understand the financialisation of malaria as a vehicle for rogue capital in a context of a weakened state (through capture, corruption and coups) and the power that limits effective interventions. It shows how malaria, along with other diseases, is ...
	Gene-drive mosquitoes, a prospect for future malaria control S. A. Monawwer, A. O. I. Alzubaidi, F. Yasmin, S. M. Q. Haimour, S. M. I. Shay and I. Ullah, Pan African Medical Journal, 41:2-6. 2022. Despite major developments in malaria control over the past two decades, the disease continues to scourge the human population across the globe. Rising concerns such as insecticide resistance amongst vector mosquitoes are a cause of huge fear amongst healthcare providers and ...
	Uncle Sam’s Dangerous Game X. Ping, XINHUANET, 2021. Since the very beginning, residents in Florida Keys doubted if the “self-limiting” gene of Genetically Modified (GM) mosquitoes brought and released there by Oxitec, a biotech firm, and approved by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Florida Keys Mosquito Control ...

View all Perspectives > | Search the knowledgebase > | Disclaimer >

Infographics

A curated collection of infographics related to gene drive technologies.

View all Infographics >| Search the knowledgebase > | Disclaimer >

	Using Gene Drive to Control Malaria The Scientist, The Scientist, 2016. This article provides illustrations for how gene drive works, how gene drives spread, and how gene drive could be used to control malaria using population-wide gene knockout, skewed sex ratio, and population-wide gene knock-in techniques. Visit the article to view all ...
	What is Gene Drive? Entomological Society of America, 2015. A fact sheet from the Entomological Society of America.