Scholarly Literature
This is a database of scholarly literature that concentrates currently on natural and engineered selfish genetic elements (gene drives). The latest are shown here.
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Genetic engineering of sex chromosomes for batch cultivation of non-transgenic, sex-sorted males
Tags: Genetic biocontrol, Genetically modified organisms, Sterile insect technique (SIT)S. R. Das, M. Maselko, A. Upadhyay and M. J. Smanski, PloS Genetics, 16:11. 2020.
The field performance of Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) is improved by sex-sorting and releasing only sterile males. This can be accomplished by resource-intensive separation of males from females by morphology. Alternatively, sex-ratio biasing genetic constructs can be used to ...
Gene Drives across engineered fitness valleys: Modeling a design to prevent drive spillover.
Tags: Gene drive mechanisms, Gene drive synthetic, Modeling, Self limitingF. J. H. de Haas and S. Otto, bioRxiv, 2020.10.29.360404. 2020.
We model a proposed drive system that transitions in time from a low threshold drive system (homing-based gene drive) to a high threshold drive system (underdominance) using daisy chain technology. This combination leads to a spatially restricted drive strategy while maintaining ...
The Sterile Insect Technique: Success and Perspectives in the Neotropics
Tags: Fruit fly, Genetic biocontrol, Pest management, Sterile insect technique (SIT)D. Perez-Staples, F. Diaz-Fleischer and P. Montoya, Neotropical Entomology, 14. 2020.
Here, we review SIT in the Neotropics and focus on particular recent successful cases of eradication of the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), as well as effective programs used against the Mexican fruit fly Anastrepha ludens (Loew), the New World screwworm ...
Cellular mechanisms regulating synthetic sex ratio distortion in the Anopheles gambiae germline
Tags: Genetic biocontrol, Genetics, Malaria, Sex distorter, Transmission distortionR. E. Haghighat-Khah, A. Sharma, M. R. Wunderlich, G. Morselli, L. A. Marston, C. Bamikole, A. Hall, N. Kranjc, C. Taxiarchi, I. Sharakhov and R. Galizi, Pathogens and Global Health, 114:370-378. 2020.
Meiotic cleavage of rDNA repeats, located in the sex chromosomes of A. gambiae SD males, affects the competitiveness of mature sperm to fertilize the female oocyte.
Vector-Focused Approaches to Curb Malaria Transmission in the Brazilian Amazon: An Overview of Current and Future Challenges and Strategies
Tags: Anopheles, Cytoplasmic incompatibility, Gene drive synthetic, Genetic biocontrol, South/Central America, WolbachiaE. M. Rocha, R. D. Katak, J. C. de Oliveira, M. D. Araujo, B. C. Carlos, R. Galizi, F. Tripet, O. Marinotti and J. A. Souza, Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease, 5. 2020.
Here we present an overview on both conventional and novel promising vector-focused tools to curb malaria transmission in the Brazilian Amazon. If well designed and employed, vector-based approaches may improve the implementation of malaria-control programs, particularly in ...
Progress Toward Zygotic and Germline Gene Drives in Mice
Tags: CRISPR, Gene drive synthetic, Invasive species, Replicator/site directed nuclease, RodentsC. Pfitzner, M. A. White, S. G. Piltz, M. Scherer, F. Adikusuma, J. N. Hughes and P. Q. Thomas, The CRISPR Journal, 3:388-397. 2020.
Here, we investigated the efficiency of CRISPR-Cas9-based gene drives in Mus musculus by constructing "split drive" systems where gRNA expression occurs on a separate chromosome to Cas9, which is under the control of either a zygotic (CAG) or germline (Vasa) promoter.
Selfish genetic elements and male fertility
Tags: Chromosomal drive, Fruit fly, Genetic incompatibilities, Population genetics/dynamics, Sex distorter, Transmission distortion, Wolbachia, X chromosomeR. L. Verspoor, T. A. R. Price and N. Wedell, Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B-Biological Sciences, 375:7. 2020.
Selfish genetic elements (SGEs) are diverse and near ubiquitous in Eukaryotes and can be potent drivers of evolution. Here, we discuss SGEs that specifically act on sperm to gain a transmission advantage to the next generation. The diverse SGEs that affect sperm often impose ...
MGDrivE 2: A simulation framework for gene drive systems incorporating seasonality and epidemiological dynamics
Tags: Ecology, Field trials, Gene drive mechanisms, Gene drive synthetic, Modeling, Population genetics/dynamics, Replicator/site directed nucleaseS. L. Wu, J. B. Bennett, H. M. Sanchez C, A. J. Dolgert, T. M. Leon and J. M. Marshall, bioRxiv, 2020.10.16.343376. 2020.
We present MGDrivE 2 (Mosquito Gene Drive Explorer 2): an extension of and development from the MGDrivE 1 simulation framework that investigates the population dynamics of a variety of gene drive architectures and their spread through spatially-explicit mosquito populations.
Genetic engineering and bacterial pathogenesis against the vectorial capacity of mosquitoes
Tags: Gene editing, Genetic biocontrol, MosquitoesM. Qasim, H. M. Xiao, K. He, M. A. A. Omar, F. L. Liu, S. Ahmed and F. Li, Microbial Pathogenesis, 147:8. 2020.
Here we aimed to focus on the role of bacterial pathogenesis and molecular tactics for the management of mosquitoes and their vectorial capacity.
Stable Introduction of Plant-Virus-Inhibiting Wolbachia into Planthoppers for Rice Protection
Tags: Arbovirus, Cytoplasmic incompatibility, Dengue, WolbachiaJ. T. Gong, Y. Li, T. P. Li, Y. Liang, L. Hu, D. Zhang, C. Y. Zhou, C. Yang, X. Zhang, S. S. Zha, X. Z. Duan, L. A. Baton, X. Y. Hong, A. A. Hoffmann and Z. Xi, Current Biology, 30:4837-4845.e5. 2020.
Progress has been made in developing the maternally inherited endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia as a tool for protecting humans from mosquito-borne diseases. In contrast, Wolbachia-based approaches have not yet been developed for the protection of plants from insect pests and ...
Engineering the Composition and Fate of Wild Populations with Gene Drive
Tags: Gene drive synthetic, Replicator/site directed nuclease, Transmission distortion, UnderdominanceB. A. Hay, G. Oberhofer and M. Guo, Annual Review of Entomology, 2020.
We describe technologies under consideration, progress that has been made, and remaining technological hurdles, particularly with respect to evolutionary stability and our ability to control the spread and ultimate fate of genes introduced into populations.
Towards rangatiratanga in pest management? Maori perspectives and frameworks on novel biotechnologies in conservation
Tags: Gene drive synthetic, Genetic biocontrol, Other arthropodsS. Palmer, O. R. Mercier and A. King-Hunt, Pacific Conservation Biology, 11. 2020.
We gathered Maori perspectives on novel biotechnological controls for pest wasps through three distinct studies. Study participants included tertiary students, businesses, and spiritual or religiously affiliated groups. All participants drew from their identities as Maori people ...
Assessing the acoustic behaviour of Anopheles gambiae (s.l.) dsxF mutants: implications for vector control
Tags: Anopheles, Gene drive synthetic, Population suppression, Replicator/site directed nuclease, Sex distorterM. P. Su, M. Georgiades, J. Bagi, K. Kyrou, A. Crisanti and J. T. Albert, Parasites and Vectors, 13:507. 2020.
We analysed sound emissions and acoustic preference in a doublesex mutant previously used to collapse Anopheles gambiae (s.l.) cages.
Yes, Irradiated Sterile Male Mosquitoes Can Be Sexually Competitive!
Tags: Genetic biocontrol, Sterile insect technique (SIT)J. Bouyer and M. J. B. Vreysen, Trends in Parasitology, 2020.
Here, we argue that a reduction in quality of the produced sterile male insects is mostly related to the mass-rearing, handling, marking, and release processes, rather than radiation per se.
Microbiome Innovation in Agriculture: Development of Microbial Based Tools for Insect Pest Management
Tags: Incompatible insect technique, Invasive species, Other Symbionts, WolbachiaM. Qadri, S. Short, K. Gast, J. Hernandez and A. C.-N. Wong, Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 4. 2020.
This review emphasizes the potential and use of microbes in sustainable insect pest management. We first review the diverse insect traits shaped by insect-microbe associations that span nutrition, immunity, ecological interactions with natural enemy, insecticide resistance, and ...
Embracing Dynamic Models for Gene Drive Management
Tags: Gene drive synthetic, Genetically modified organisms, Population genetics/dynamics, Regulation, Risk assessmentA. J. Golnar, E. Ruell, A. L. Lloyd and K. M. Pepin, Trends in Biotechnology, 2020.
We describe how quantitative tools can reduce risk uncertainty, streamline empirical research, guide risk management, and promote cross-sector collaboration throughout the process of gene drive technology development and implementation.
Gene Drive: Modern Miracle or Environmental Disaster
Tags: Gene drive synthetic, Oxitec, Policy, Regulation, Sterile insect technique (SIT)K. Brooks, Journal of Law, Technology and Policy, 2020.
This Note will show how gene drive technology fits imperfectly into the old regulatory framework through case studies. The Analysis will also describe how the different regulatory agencies handle similar gene drive-like organisms inconsistently, and the inherent danger of this ...
Resistance to natural and synthetic gene drive systems
Tags: CRISPR, Gene drive synthetic, Population suppression, Selfish genetic elements, Sex distorter, Transmission distortion, WolbachiaT. A. R. Price, N. Windbichler, R. L. Unckless, A. Sutter, J.-N. Runge, P. A. Ross, A. Pomiankowski, N. L. Nuckolls, C. Montchamp-Moreau, N. Mideo, O. Y. Martin, A. Manser, M. Legros, A. M. Larracuente, L. Holman, J. Godwin, N. Gemmell, C. Courret, A. Buc, Journal of Evolutionary Biology, 2020.
This review summarizes our current knowledge of drive resistance in both natural and synthetic gene drives. We explore how insights from naturally occurring and synthetic drive systems can be integrated to improve the design of gene drives, better predict the outcome of releases ...
Active Genetic Neutralizing Elements for Halting or Deleting Gene Drives
Tags: Gene drive, Gene drive synthetic, Replicator/site directed nucleaseX.-R. S. Xu, E. A. Bulger, V. M. Gantz, C. Klanseck, S. R. Heimler, A. Auradkar, J. B. Bennett, L. A. Miller, S. Leahy, S. S. Juste, A. Buchman, O. S. Akbari, J. M. Marshall and E. Bier, Molecular Cell, 2020.
Here we describe two self-copying (or active) guide RNA-only genetic elements, called e-CHACRs and ERACRs. These elements use Cas9 produced in trans by a gene drive either to inactivate the cas9 transgene (e-CHACRs) or to delete and replace the gene drive (ERACRs).
Dynamics of Wild and Sterile Mosquito Population Models with Delayed Releasing
Tags: Genetic biocontrol, Modeling, Sterile insect technique (SIT)L. M. Cai, International Journal of Bifurcation and Chaos, 30:15. 2020.
We extend the previous ODE models to the delayed releasing models in two different ways of releasing sterile mosquitos, where both constant and exponentially distributed delays are considered, respectively. By applying the theory and methods of delay differential equations, the ...

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