Scholarly Literature
This is an aggregation of scholarly literature from peer-reviewed journals, bioRxiv , medRxiv and arXiv preprint servers focused 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.
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 ...
A CRISPR homing gene drive targeting a haplolethal gene removes resistance alleles and successfully spreads through a cage population
Tags: Gene drive synthetic, Population modification/replacement, Replicator/site directed nuclease, Resistance, Toxin-antidoteJ. Champer, E. Yang, E. Lee, J. Liu, A. G. Clark and P. W. Messer, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 202004373. 2020.
Here, we present a CRISPR homing drive that was able to successfully spread to all individuals in a laboratory cage study in Drosophila melanogaster without any apparent evolution of resistance.
Underlying beliefs linked to public opinion about gene drive and pest-specific toxin for pest control
Tags: Biodiversity/Conservation, Gene drive synthetic, GeneticsE. A. MacDonald, E. Edwards, J. Balanovic and F. Medvecky, Wildlife Research, 2020.
Public engagement that acknowledges and responds to these underlying beliefs, rather than a traditional campaign based on biodiversity and environmental gains, may be more effective at creating a constructive dialogue about if and how these tools should be used, and to avoid ...
Prospects and Pitfalls: Next-Generation Tools to Control Mosquito-Transmitted Disease
Tags: Gene drive synthetic, Genetic biocontrol, Genetic incompatibilities, Other Symbionts, WolbachiaE. P. Caragata, S. Dong, Y. Dong, M. L. Simões, C. V. Tikhe and G. Dimopoulos, Annual Review of Microbiology, 74:455-475. 2020.
A diverse array of next-generation tools has been designed to eliminate mosquito populations or to replace them with mosquitoes that are less capable of transmitting key pathogens.
Generating single-sex litters: development of CRISPR-Cas9 genetic tools to produce all-male offspring
Tags: Biodiversity/Conservation, Gene drive synthetic, Rodents, Sex distorterC. Douglas, V. Maciulyte, J. Zohren, D. M. Snell, O. A. Ojarikre, P. J. Ellis and J. M. A. Turner, bioRxiv, 2020.09.07.285536. 2020.
Using the mouse as a model, we developed a synthetic, two-part bicomponent strategy for generating all-male litters.
Suppressing evolution in genetically engineered systems through repeated supplementation
Tags: Gene drive synthetic, Genetic engineering, Modeling, Population genetics/dynamics, ResistanceN. C. Layman, B. M. Tuschhoff, A. J. Basinski, C. H. Remien, J. J. Bull and S. L. Nuismer, Evolutionary Applications, 12. 2020.
Genetically engineered organisms are prone to evolve in response to the engineering. This evolution is often undesirable and can negatively affect the purpose of the engineering. Methods that maintain the stability of engineered genomes are therefore critical to the successful ...
Maternal Transmission Ratio Distortion in Two Iberian Pig Varieties
Tags: Transmission distortionM. Vazquez-Gomez, M. M. de Hijas-Villalba, L. Varona, N. Ibanez-Escriche, J. P. Rosas, S. Negro, J. L. Noguera and J. Casellas, Genes, 11:16. 2020.
Although TRD can be a confounding factor in genetic mapping studies, this phenomenon remains mostly unknown in pigs, particularly in traditional breeds (i.e., the Iberian pig). We aimed to describe the maternal TRD prevalence and its genomic distribution in two Iberian varieties. ...
Inherently confinable split-drive systems in Drosophila
Tags: CRISPR, Fruit fly, Gene drive synthetic, Replicator/site directed nuclease, Resistance, Self limitingG. Terradas, A. B. Buchman, J. B. Bennett, I. Shriner, J. M. Marshall, O. S. Akbari and E. Bier, bioRxiv, 2020.09.03.282079. 2020.
Here, we test split gene-drive (sGD) systems in Drosophila melanogaster that were inserted into essential genes required for viability (rab5, rab11, prosalpha2) or fertility (spo11). I
Governing New Biotechnologies for Biodiversity Conservation: Gene Drives, International Law, and Emerging Politics
Tags: Biodiversity/Conservation, Gene drive synthetic, Policy, Regulation, Synthetic biologyJ. L. Reynolds, Global Environmental Politics, 20:28-48. 2020.
This article describes and analyzes the international law and politics of gene drives’ research, development, and possible use, with an emphasis on their potential biodiversity applications.
Gene Drive Dynamics in Natural Populations: The Importance of Density Dependence, Space, and Sex
Tags: Ecology, Evolution, Gene drive synthetic, Genetic biocontrol, GeneticsS. Dhole, A. L. Lloyd and F. Gould, Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics, 51:505-531. 2020.
The spread of synthetic gene drives is often discussed in the context of panmictic populations connected by gene flow and described with simple deterministic models. Under such assumptions, an entire species could be altered by releasing a single individual carrying an invasive ...
Chromosome drives via CRISPR-Cas9 in yeast
Tags: Chromosomal drive, CRISPR, Gene drive synthetic, Yeast and FungiH. Xu, M. Han, S. Zhou, B.-Z. Li, Y. Wu and Y.-J. Yuan, Nature Communications, 11:4344. 2020.
Our results show that the entire Saccharomyces cerevisiae chromosome can be eliminated efficiently through only one double-strand break around the centromere via CRISPR-Cas9. As a proof-of-concept experiment of this CRISPR-Cas9 chromosome drive system, the synthetic yeast ...
Evading evolution of resistance to gene drives
Tags: CRISPR, Gene drive synthetic, Population suppression, Replicator/site directed nuclease, ResistanceR. Gomulkiewicz, M. L. Thies and J. J. Bull, bioRxiv, 2020.
Here we develop mathematical and computational models to identify conditions under which suppression drives will evade resistance, even if resistance is present initially.
Novel combination of CRISPR-based gene drives eliminates resistance and localises spread
Tags: Gene drive synthetic, Invasive species, Replicator/site directed nuclease, Resistance, Rodents, Self limiting, Self sustaining, Toxin-antidoteN. R. Faber, G. R. McFarlane, R. C. Gaynor, I. Pocrnic, C. B. A. Whitelaw and G. Gorjanc, bioRxiv, 2020.
We present HD-ClvR, a novel combination of CRISPR-based gene drives that eliminates resistance and localises spread. As a case study, we model HD-ClvR in the grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis), which is an invasive pest in the UK and responsible for both biodiversity and ...
Next-generation gene drive for population modification of the malaria vector mosquito, Anopheles gambiae
Tags: Anopheles, CRISPR, Gene drive synthetic, Genetics, Population modification/replacement, Replicator/site directed nuclease, ResistanceR. Carballar-Lejarazú, C. Ogaugwu, T. Tushar, A. Kelsey, T. B. Pham, J. Murphy, H. Schmidt, Y. Lee, G. C. Lanzaro and A. A. James, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 202010214. 2020.
We show here that the Cas9/guide RNA-based gene-drive components of a genetically-engineered malaria mosquito vector, Anopheles gambiae, achieve key target product profile requirements for efficacy and performance.
A home and rescue gene drive forces its inheritance stably persisting in populations
Tags: CRISPR, Fruit fly, Gene drive synthetic, Replicator/site directed nuclease, ResistanceN. P. Kandul, J. Liu, J. B. Bennett, J. M. Marshall and O. Akbari, bioRxiv, 2020.08.21.261610. 2020.
We demonstrate that HomeR can achieve nearly ~100% transmission enabling it to persist at genotypic fixation in several multi-generational population cage experiments, underscoring its long term stability.
Mixed knobs in corn cobs
Tags: Genetic engineering, Sex distorterP. Lamelza and M. A. Lampson, Genes and Development, 34:1110-1112. 2020.
In this issue of Genes & Development, Swentowsky and colleagues (pp. 1239-1251) show that two types of knobs, those composed of 180-bp and TR1 sequences, recruit their own novel and divergent kinesin-14 family members to form neocentromeres.
Distinct kinesin motors drive two types of maize neocentromeres
Tags: Genetic engineering, Sex distorterK. W. Swentowsky, J. I. Gent, E. G. Lowry, V. Schubert, X. Ran, K. F. Tseng, A. E. Harkess, W. H. Qiu and R. K. Dawe, Genes and Development, 34:1239-1251. 2020.
Here we describe a second kinesin-14 gene, TR-1 kinesin (Trkin), that is required to mobilize neocentromeres made up of the minor tandem repeat TR-1.
Lateral Gene Transfer Mechanisms and Pan-genomes in Eukaryotes
Tags: Population genetics/dynamicsS. J. Sibbald, L. Eme, J. M. Archibald and A. J. Roger, Trends in Parasitology, 2020.
Here we review evidence for known and potential mechanisms of LGT into diverse eukaryote lineages with a particular focus on protists, and we discuss trends emerging from recently reported examples. We also explore the potential role of LGT in generating ‘pan-genomes’ in ...
Self-limiting paratransgenesis
W. Huang, S. B. Wang and M. Jacobs-Lorena, PloS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 14:9. 2020.Our results suggest that initial field trials can make use of this reversible system whereby released recombinant bacteria expressing anti-plasmodial compounds from a plasmid revert to wild type at a predictable rate.
Towards Responsive Eco-technology: The Development of a Male Sex-biased Mouse
Tags: CRISPR, Gene drive synthetic, Rodents, Sex distorterW. Kamau, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2020.
CRISPR-Cas systems have catalyzed the emergence of several synthetic population management strategies, like gene drives, for controlling pests and disease vectors. As these technologies garner greater visibility in both general and regulatory audiences, questions have arisen ...
Bednets or Biotechnology: To Rescue Current Persons or Research for the Future?
Tags: Ethics, Gene drive synthetic, Malaria, PolicyD. E. Callies, Fudan Journal of the Humanities and Social Sciences, 14. 2020.
After an exploration of the duty to rescue and cost-effectiveness analysis, I suggest we look towards the literature on intergenerational justice for a justifiable answer to the question of how we ought to allocate our malaria resources.
Atypical meiosis can be adaptive in outcrossed Schizosaccharomyces pombe due to wtf meiotic drivers
Tags: Agriculture, Genetic engineering, Genetics, Transmission distortion, Yeast and FungiM. A. Bravo Núñez, I. M. Sabbarini, L. E. Eide, R. L. Unckless and S. E. Zanders, eLife, 9:e57936. 2020.
Here, we demonstrate that in scenarios analogous to outcrossing, wtf drivers generate a fitness landscape in which atypical spores, such as aneuploids and diploids, are advantageous. In this context, wtf drivers can decrease the fitness costs of mutations that disrupt meiotic ...
Modelling the suppression of a malaria vector using a CRISPR-Cas9 gene drive to reduce female fertility
Tags: Africa, CRISPR, Gene drive synthetic, Modeling, Population suppression, Replicator/site directed nucleaseA. R. North, A. Burt and H. C. J. Godfray, BMC Biology, 18:98. 2020.
Gene drives based on CRISPR-Cas9 technology are increasingly being considered as tools for reducing the capacity of mosquito populations to transmit malaria, and one of the most promising options is driving endonuclease genes that reduce the fertility of female mosquitoes. Here, ...
Incorporating Characteristics of Gene Drive Engineered Ae. aegypti as Methods to Reduce Dengue and Zika Virus into the Bayesian Network – Relative Risk Model, Using Ponce, Puerto Rico as a Case Study
Tags: Aedes, Arbovirus, Dengue, Gene drive synthetic, Modeling, Policy, Regulation, Risk assessmentS. R. Eikenbary, WWU Graduate School Collection, 2020.
The Bayesian network relative risk model can perform the risk assessment of gene drive engineered Ae. aegypti for vector control and as part of an adaptive management strategy to reduce dengue and Zika transmission. This study illustrates how the BN-RRM can integrate gene drive ...
Engineered Reproductively Isolated Species Drive Reversible Population Replacement
Tags: Fruit fly, Gene drive synthetic, Genetic incompatibilities, Incompatible insect technique, Population modification/replacementA. Buchman, I. Shriner, T. Yang, J. Liu, I. Antoshechkin, J. M. Marshall, M. W. Perry and O. S. Akbari, bioRxiv, 2020.08.09.242982. 2020.
Engineered reproductive species barriers are useful for impeding gene flow and driving desirable genes into wild populations in a reversible threshold-dependent manner. We engineer multiple reproductively isolated SPECIES and demonstrate their threshold-dependent gene drive ...
Ubiquitous selfish toxin-antidote elements in Caenorhabditis species
Tags: Genetic incompatibilities, Other invertebrates, Toxin-antidoteE. Ben-David, P. Pliota, S. A. Widen, A. Koreshova, T. Lemus-Vergara, P. Verpukhovskiy, S. Mandali, C. Braendle, A. Burga and L. Kruglyak, bioRxiv, 2020.08.06.240564. 2020.
We discovered five maternal-effect Toxin/Antidotes (TAs) in the nematode Caenorhabditis tropicalis and one in C. briggsae. Unlike previously reported TAs, five of these novel toxins do not kill embryos but instead cause larval arrest or developmental delay. Our results show ...
Selfing is the safest sex for Caenorhabditis tropicalis
Tags: Other invertebrates, Toxin-antidoteL. M. Noble, J. Yuen, L. Stevens, N. Moya, R. Persaud, M. Moscatelli, J. Jackson, C. Braendle, E. C. Andersen, H. S. Seidel and M. V. Rockman, bioRxiv, 2020.08.07.242032. 2020.
Frequent selfing in Caenorhabditis. tropicalis may be a strategy to avoid gene drive-mediated outbreeding depression. Mating systems have profound effects on genetic diversity and compatibility. Caenorhabditis tropicalis is the least genetically diverse among 3 species of ...
Maintenance management and eradication of established aquatic invaders
Tags: Biodiversity/Conservation, Biological control, Gene drive, Gene drive synthetic, Gene editing, Invasive species, Population suppression, Sterile insect technique (SIT)D. Simberloff, Hydrobiologia, 22. 2020.
The rapid development of technologies based on genetics has engendered excitement about possibly eradicating or controlling terrestrial invaders, and such technologies may also prove useful for certain aquatic invaders. Methods of particular interest, alone or in various ...
Global Governing Bodies: A Pathway for Gene Drive Governance for Vector Mosquito Control
Tags: Gene drive synthetic, Governance, Policy, Regulation, Risk and safety, Stakeholder engagementA. Kelsey, D. Stillinger, T. B. Pham, J. Murphy, S. Firth and R. Carballar-Lejarazú, American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 2020.
We examined the current institutions and governing bodies among various continents that could have an impact on gene drive governance or the potential to adapt to its future use. Possible governance strategies also are proposed that seek to bridge gaps and promote an ethically ...
Modeling the suppression dynamics of Aedes mosquitoes with mating inhomogeneity
Tags: Aedes, Cytoplasmic incompatibility, Dengue, Genetic biocontrol, Modeling, Population suppression, WolbachiaM. Huang and L. Hu, Journal of Biological Dynamics, 14:656-678. 2020.
In this work, we introduce a delay differential equation model with mating inhomogeneity to discuss mosquito population suppression based on Wolbachia. Our analyses show that the wild mosquitoes could be eliminated if either the adult mortality rate exceeds the threshold δ∗A ...
Genomic analyses of a livestock pest, the New World screwworm, find potential targets for genetic control programs
Tags: Gene drive synthetic, Genetic biocontrol, Genetics, Genomics, Sterile insect technique (SIT)M. J. Scott, J. B. Benoit, R. J. Davis, S. T. Bailey, V. Varga, E. O. Martinson, P. V. Hickner, Z. Syed, G. A. Cardoso, T. T. Torres, M. T. Weirauch, E. H. Scholl, A. M. Phillippy, A. Sagel, M. Vasquez, G. Quintero and S. R. Skoda, Nature Communications, 3:424. 2020.
We identify and analyze the expression of genes that are likely important for host-seeking behavior (chemosensory), development of larvae in open wounds in warm-blooded animals (heat shock protein, immune response) and for building transgenic strains for genetic control programs ...
