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An initiative of the GeneConvene Global Collaborative,
Within the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health

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See the Latest Gene Drive & Genetic Biocontrol Research and Media Coverage

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A Malaria Day 2022 Lecture

Emory University and The Carter Center.

Explainer Videos

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Addendum to Arthropod Containment Guidelines: Gene Drive

Explainer Video – October 13, 2022

Containment Practices for Arthropods Modified with Engineered Transgenes Capable of Gene Drive Addendum 1 to the Arthropod Containment Guidelines, Version 3.2

American Committee of Medical Entomology, Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases, 2021.

Responsible conduct of research is a cornerstone of rigorous scientific discovery. Institutional committees, independent advisory panels, and expert steering groups are among the frameworks in academia meant to provide guidance and assurances that research activities do not ...

New Webinar Series

October 12 – November 23, 2022

11:00am – 12:30pm EST

Recordings of Wolbachia Webinars

Projects, Programs and Companies

in the genetic biocontrol space

African Genetic Biocontrol Consortium

The AGBC is committed to contributing and expanding research, development, and use of genetic biocontrol approaches to control and eliminate malaria and other vector-borne diseases in Africa.

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Gene Drive Governance

Gene Drive Governance is network of world-leading researchers from Europe, Africa, North America and Australasia who are committed to understanding gene drive governance.

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Outreach Network for Gene Drive Research

The Outreach Network coordinates, shares information and engages with stakeholders to raise awareness of the value of gene drive research for the public good.

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BioBee

BioBee offers the most advanced environmentally friendly options for biological pest control including the Sterile Insect Technique

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UCI-Malaria Initiative

UCI-MI is a project developing gene drive technologies for Anopheles mosquitoes that will drive transgenes into wild populations of the insects to reduce their capacity to transmit malaria.

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Target Malaria

Target Malaria is a project aiming to reduce the population of malaria-transmitting mosquitoes in sub-Saharan Africa using gene drive technologies and thereby reduce transmission of the disease

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GBIRd

GBIRd is investigating the feasibility and suitability of gene drive technologies to be used to reduce invasive rodent populations to protect island ecosystems and prevent island species extinctions

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BigSis

BigSis has reinvented the sterile insect technique (SIT) by automating the individualised production of sterile male insects. This requires integrating biology, engineering and artificial intelligence capabilities to deliver a highly automated production process.

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Joint FAO/IAEA Programme

FAO/IAEA-IPCS applies the Sterile Insect Technique where feasible to enhance food security and international trade and are pioneers in the development and use of SIT.

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FAO IAEA SIT Directory

A database of SIT and other currently active autocidal programs maintained by the IAEA. An excellent resource for exploring the use of SIT worldwide.

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World Mosquito Program

The WMP deploys Wolbachia-infected Aedes aegypti to modify wild populations by reducing their capacity to transmit dengue, zika and other positive strand RNA viruses.

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Synbal

Synbal uses our Active Genetics platform technology to provide super-Mendelian transgenic laboratory animal models expressing multiple human genes for research and development

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MosquitoMate, Inc

MosquitoMate is a company providing Incompatible Insect Technique (IIT) solutions for Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus that are based on Wolbachia-induced cytoplasmic incompatibility.

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Debug by verily

Debug is program within Verily Life Sciences that is developing robotics for mass-rearing and sex separation of mosquitoes that integrate with Sterile Insect Technique and Incompatible Insect Technique programs.

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Wolbacki

Wolbaki provides Incompatable Insect Technique solutions for the mosquito Aedes albopictus and the brown planthopper Nilaparvada lugens based on Wolbachia-induced cytoplasmic incompatibility.

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Diptera.ai

Diptera.ai’s proprietary technology makes SIT affordable to everyone. Diptera.ai’s professionals release sterile Asian tiger male mosquitoes weekly during the warm season.

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Oxitec

Oxitec is a for-profit company developing and deploying transgenic insect autocidal control technologies for a variety of insect species around the world.

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BIOCENTIS

Biocentis develops eco-friendly genetic solutions to effectively and safely control the dangerous insect species that spread disease to humans, reduce biodiversity, or threaten food security.

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AGRAGENE

Agragene is commercializing biological crop pest control agents with a pioneering platform using CRISPR/Cas9 technology

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SENECIO Robotics

Senecio has unique multi platform solutions, utilizing deep learning for the Sex Classification together with robotics and automation for the Sorting and Packaging of mosquitoes for SIT.

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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.

SHOULD WE CREATE GENE DRIVE GREY SQUIRRELS

S. Hartley and T. Law, GeneDriveGovernance.org, 2022.

UK scientists have proposed gene drive as a management tool to control grey squirrels. Now is a good time to talk about this emerging technology because the hopes and concerns of experts, stakeholders and the public can help to determine if or how it might be developed. To help foster this debate, we made a short research film on gene drive grey squirrels. The film draws on our social science research to show the complexity of the problem of grey squirrel control and invites you to think about whether scientists should develop gene drive squirrels or not.

More related to this:

Ecology: Gene drives may help control invasive grey squirrel in the UK

Expert reaction to a paper suggesting that gene drives could be used to help control grey squirrel numbers in the UK

Gene-Editing Approach To Control the Invasive Gray Squirrel

Why we need to talk about ‘gene-drive’ grey squirrels

How sci-fi weapon could stop grey squirrels killing Britain’s trees

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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.

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	A CRISPR endonuclease gene drive reveals distinct mechanisms of inheritance bias S. A. N. Verkuijl, E. Gonzalez, M. Li, J. X. D. Ang, N. P. Kandul, M. A. E. Anderson, O. S. Akbari, M. B. Bonsall and L. Alphey, Nature Communications, 13:7145. 2022. CRISPR/Cas gene drives can bias transgene inheritance through different mechanisms. Homing drives are designed to replace a wild-type allele with a copy of a drive element on the homologous chromosome. In Aedes aegypti, the sex-determining locus is closely linked to the white ...
	The effect of mating complexity on gene drive dynamics P. Verma, R. G. Reeves, S. Simon, M. Otto and C. S. Gokhale, The American Naturalist, 2022. Gene drive technology promises to deliver on some of the global challenges humanity faces today in health care, agriculture, and conservation. However, there is a limited understanding of the consequences of releasing self-perpetuating transgenic organisms into wild populations ...
	A Wolbachia factor for male killing in lepidopteran insects S. Katsuma, K. Hirota, N. Matsuda-Imai, T. Fukui, T. Muro, K. Nishino, H. Kosako, K. Shoji, H. Takanashi, T. Fujii, S.-i. Arimura and T. Kiuchi, Nature Communications, 13:6764. 2022. Bacterial symbionts, such as Wolbachia species, can manipulate the sexual development and reproduction of their insect hosts. For example, Wolbachia infection induces male-specific death in the Asian corn borer Ostrinia furnacalis by targeting the host factor Masculinizer (Masc), ...
	Independent evaluation of Wolbachia infected male mosquito releases for control of Aedes aegypti in Harris County, Texas, using a Bayesian abundance estimator S. Lozano, K. Pritts, D. Duguma, C. Fredregill and R. Connelly, PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 16:e0010907. 2022. Among disease vectors, Aedes aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae) is one of the most insidious species in the world. The disease burden created by this species has dramatically increased in the past 50 years, and during this time countries have relied on pesticides for control and ...

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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.

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	Turns Out Fighting Mosquitoes With Mosquitoes Actually Works E. Mullin, Wired, 2022. In the Brazilian city of Indaiatuba, an effort is underway to eliminate these pests before they have a chance to spread illness. The weapon: more Aedes aegypti mosquitoes—but ones genetically engineered to kill their own kind. Made by British biotechnology firm Oxitec, the ...
	Should we use a genetic weapon against mosquitoes carrying malaria? T. H. Saey, ScienceNewsExplores, 2022. In a large laboratory cage, a male mosquito carries a genetic weapon that could launch the destruction of his species. That loss could also mean the end of the parasite that causes malaria. The weapon? A self-replicating bit of DNA known as a gene drive. It’s one of the most ...
	Health experts meet in Dar over use of GMO mosquitoes to fight Malaria M. Chelangat, NATION, 2022. Regional health think thanks led by the African Institute for Development and Policy (AFIDEP), East African Community(EAC) Health department, East African Health Research Commission and Ifakara health institute will be meeting in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania for three day starting ...
	Gene drive could be used to wipe out invasive mice on islands M. Le Page, NewScientist, 2022. For the first time, researchers have created a gene drive – a kind of genetic parasite – that could be used to eradicate mammalian pests such as mice by making them infertile. The technology could provide a humane alternative to the poison baits currently used to tackle ...

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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.

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	Laboratory Containment of Arthropods Capable of Gene Drive: Best Practices and Recommendations Hector Quemada, GeneConvene Global Collaborative, 2022. This webinar is presented by members of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene's American Committee of Medical Entomologists who were involved in drafting a recent Addendum to the ASTMH's Arthropod Containment Guidelines that specifically consider arthropods with ...
	Risk Assessment on the Release of Wolbachia-Infected Aedes aegypti in Yogyakarta, Indonesia D. Buchori, A. Mawan, I. Nurhayati, A. Aryati, H. Kusnanto and U. K. Hadi, Insects, 13. 2022. Wolbachia-infected Aedes aegypti is the latest technology that was developed to eliminate dengue fever. The Ministry of Research and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia (Kemenristekdikti) established an expert group to identify future potential risks that may occur over a ...
	Points to consider in seeking biosafety approval for research, testing, and environmental release of experimental genetically modified biocontrol products during research and development W. K. Tonui, V. Ahuja, C. J. Beech, J. B. Connolly, B. Dass, D. C. M. Glandorf, et al., Transgenic Research, 2022. Novel genetically modified biological control products (referred to as “GM biocontrol products”) are being considered to address a range of complex problems in public health, conservation, and agriculture, including preventing the transmission of vector-borne parasitic and ...
	Justifying an Intentional Species Extinction: The Case of Anopheles gambiae D. E. Callies and Y. Rohwer, Environmental Values, 31:193-210. 2022. Each year, over 200 million people are infected with the malaria parasite, nearly half a million of whom succumb to the disease. Emerging genetic technologies could, in theory, eliminate the burden of malaria throughout the world by intentionally eradicating the mosquitoes that ...

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Events

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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.

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	Wolbachia Biology, Mechanisms and Applications 2022 David O'Brochta, GeneConvene Global Collaborative, 2022. Intracellular and extracellular symbiotic/commensal bacteria have enormous potential when manipulated and deployed appropriately to serve as agents of control of insects and the pathogens they transmit. Wolbachia, an intracellular bacteria, is a well studied system and one that ...
	Laboratory Containment of Arthropods Capable of Gene Drive: Best Practices and Recommendations Hector Quemada, GeneConvene Global Collaborative, 2022. This webinar is presented by members of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene's American Committee of Medical Entomologists who were involved in drafting a recent Addendum to the ASTMH's Arthropod Containment Guidelines that specifically consider arthropods with ...
	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. ...

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Videos

Video

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

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	SHOULD WE CREATE GENE DRIVE GREY SQUIRRELS S. Hartley and T. Law, GeneDriveGovernance.org, 2022. UK scientists have proposed gene drive as a management tool to control grey squirrels. Now is a good time to talk about this emerging technology because the hopes and concerns of experts, stakeholders and the public can help to determine if or how it might be developed. To help ...
	WORLDWIDE: EXPERTS ON GENE DRIVES Stop Gene Drive, STOP GENE DRIVES, 2022. We are travelling the world speaking to some of the world’s leading thinkers, activists and academics on the impact of gene drives. We interviewed more than 20 experts from around the world
	Inside the Plan to Release Life-Saving Mosquitoes WIRED, WIRED, 2022. The Florida Keys Mosquito Control District is turning towards a novel tool to combat harmful insecticide-resistant mosquitoes like the Aedes aegypti. What are they doing exactly? They're releasing millions of genetically modified male mosquitoes engineered to reduce the ...
	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 ...

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Podcasts

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

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	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

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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.

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	Should we use a genetic weapon against mosquitoes carrying malaria? T. H. Saey, ScienceNewsExplores, 2022. In a large laboratory cage, a male mosquito carries a genetic weapon that could launch the destruction of his species. That loss could also mean the end of the parasite that causes malaria. The weapon? A self-replicating bit of DNA known as a gene drive. It’s one of the most ...
	SHOULD WE CREATE GENE DRIVE GREY SQUIRRELS S. Hartley and T. Law, GeneDriveGovernance.org, 2022. UK scientists have proposed gene drive as a management tool to control grey squirrels. Now is a good time to talk about this emerging technology because the hopes and concerns of experts, stakeholders and the public can help to determine if or how it might be developed. To help ...
	WORLDWIDE: EXPERTS ON GENE DRIVES Stop Gene Drive, STOP GENE DRIVES, 2022. We are travelling the world speaking to some of the world’s leading thinkers, activists and academics on the impact of gene drives. We interviewed more than 20 experts from around the world
	Externalities modulate the effectiveness of the Wolbachia release programme E. E. Ooi and A. Wilder-Smith, The Lancet Infectious Diseases, 2022. Despite the remarkable outcome in Yogyakarta, the wMel approach also has some challenges. In particular, the extent to which ecological, weather, and other external factors influence the dissemination and establishment of wMel in complex urban environments remains unclear. ...

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Infographics

A curated collection of infographics related to gene drive technologies.

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	How We’re Reducing Disease With Genetically Modified Mosquitoes V. Wise, HealthMatch, 2022. We all know mosquitoes as those annoying insects we swat away from our faces. They carry diseases, so we don’t want them anywhere near us. There are over 200 types of wild mosquitoes bugging us across America and the U.S. territories. Approximately 12 types can spread disease, ...
	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.

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