scholarly journals Optimized CRISPR tools and site-directed transgenesis in Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes for gene drive development

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xuechun Feng ◽  
Víctor López Del Amo ◽  
Enzo Mameli ◽  
Megan Lee ◽  
Alena L. Bishop ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Culex Quinquefasciatus ◽  
Technology Development ◽  
Companion Animals ◽  
Fruit Fly ◽  
Valuable Insight ◽  
Gene Drive ◽  
Future Technology ◽  
Drive Systems ◽  
Global Vector ◽  
Human And Animal Diseases

ABSTRACTCulex mosquitoes are a global vector for multiple human and animal diseases, including West Nile virus, lymphatic filariasis, and avian malaria, posing a constant threat to public health, livestock, companion animals, and endangered birds. While rising insecticide resistance has threatened the control of Culex mosquitoes, advances in CRISPR genome-editing tools have fostered the development of alternative genetic strategies such as gene drive systems to fight disease vectors. However, though gene-drive technology has quickly progressed in other mosquitoes, advances have been lacking in Culex. Here, we developed a Culex-specific Cas9/gRNA expression toolkit and used site-directed homology-based transgenesis to generate and validate a Culex quinquefasciatus Cas9-expressing line. We showed that gRNA scaffold variants improve transgenesis efficiency in both Culex and Drosophila and boost gene-drive performance in the fruit fly. These findings support future technology development to control Culex mosquitoes and provide valuable insight for improving these tools in other species.

scholarly journals Optimized CRISPR tools and site-directed transgenesis towards gene drive development in Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xuechun Feng ◽  
Víctor López Del Amo ◽  
Enzo Mameli ◽  
Megan Lee ◽  
Alena L. Bishop ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Culex Quinquefasciatus ◽  
Technology Development ◽  
Companion Animals ◽  
Fruit Fly ◽  
Valuable Insight ◽  
Gene Drive ◽  
Future Technology ◽  
Drive Systems ◽  
Global Vector ◽  
Human And Animal Diseases

AbstractCulex mosquitoes are a global vector for multiple human and animal diseases, including West Nile virus, lymphatic filariasis, and avian malaria, posing a constant threat to public health, livestock, companion animals, and endangered birds. While rising insecticide resistance has threatened the control of Culex mosquitoes, advances in CRISPR genome-editing tools have fostered the development of alternative genetic strategies such as gene drive systems to fight disease vectors. However, though gene-drive technology has quickly progressed in other mosquitoes, advances have been lacking in Culex. Here, we develop a Culex-specific Cas9/gRNA expression toolkit and use site-directed homology-based transgenesis to generate and validate a Culex quinquefasciatus Cas9-expressing line. We show that gRNA scaffold variants improve transgenesis efficiency in both Culex quinquefasciatus and Drosophila melanogaster and boost gene-drive performance in the fruit fly. These findings support future technology development to control Culex mosquitoes and provide valuable insight for improving these tools in other species.

Containment strategies for synthetic gene drive organisms and impacts on gene flow.

2021 ◽  
pp. 137-152
Author(s):  
Lei Pei ◽  
Markus Schmidt
Keyword(s):  
Gene Flow ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Basic Research ◽  
Fruit Fly ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Synthetic Gene ◽  
Model Organisms ◽  
Gene Drive ◽  
Comprehensive Overview ◽  
Gene Drives

Abstract Gene drives, particularly synthetic gene drives, may help to address some important challenges, by efficiently altering specific sections of DNA in entire populations of wild organisms. Here we review the current development of the synthetic gene drives, especially those RNA-guided synthetic gene drives based on the CRISPR nuclease Cas. Particular focuses are on their possible applications in agriculture (e.g. disease resistance, weed control management), ecosystem conservation (e.g. evasion species control), health (e.g. to combat insect-borne and fungal infections), and for basic research in model organisms (e.g. Saccharomyces, fruit fly, and zebra fish). The physical, chemical, biological, and ecological containment strategies that might help to confine these gene drive-modified organisms are then explored. The gene flow issues, those from gene drive-derived organisms to the environment, are discussed, while possible mitigation strategies for gene drive research are explored. Last but not least, the regulatory context and opinions from key stakeholders (regulators, scientists, and concerned organizations) are reviewed, aiming to provide a more comprehensive overview of the field.

The Impact of Legislation on Future Technology Development

1992 ◽  
Vol 38 (7) ◽  
pp. 1280-1281
Author(s):  
P Wilding
Keyword(s):  
Technology Development ◽  
Clinical Chemistry ◽  
Future Technology ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
The Impact

Abstract In this paper I examine some of the factors influencing technology development and attempt to explain whether CLIA '88 enhances the opportunities or exacerbates the problems for U.S.-based technology development. The viewpoint I express is concentrated on the clinical chemistry segment of the diagnostics arena.

Analysis of Technology Development Trend of the Wind Power Generation-Based on Patent Map Cluster Analysis System and Method

2013 ◽  
Vol 748 ◽  
pp. 490-492 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ke Chao ◽  
Jing Liu
Keyword(s):  
Cluster Analysis ◽  
Wind Power ◽  
Technology Development ◽  
Development Trend ◽  
Fuzzy Cluster ◽  
Fuzzy Cluster Analysis ◽  
Future Technology ◽  
Analysis System ◽  
Technology Identification ◽  
Technology Focus

This paper through patent map fuzzy cluster analysis system and method, researches development status in the fields of wind power, and the patent technology focus areas and its own characteristics , putting an emphasis analysis on patent technology of wind power around the world , we summarize and generalize technology development trends , and the future technology identified methods of the patents focus areas are discussed. Finally, we put forward a idea which comes from technology identification to prediction and evaluation.

Corporate memory contribution to integrated design and analysis systems

2006 ◽  
Vol 110 (1106) ◽  
pp. 257-263 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. R. Mendenhall
Keyword(s):  
Technology Development ◽  
Expert Knowledge ◽  
Aerospace Industry ◽  
Integrated Design ◽  
Technical Information ◽  
Future Technology ◽  
Corporate Memory ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Potential Loss

Abstract The recent decline in the USA aerospace industry has resulted in fewer programs, fewer engineers, and a potential loss of capability for future technology development. As engineers retire or leave the industry, their corporate memory or retained knowledge must be preserved for future use. A process to capture their expert knowledge is described, and a framework which provides a means to retrieve and use this valuable technical information is shown. Four examples of integrated design and analysis systems for four diverse technologies and applications are discussed.

Procedural characteristics of the 4th Korean technology foresight

foresight ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 198-209 ◽  
Author(s):  
Moonjung Choi ◽  
Han-Lim Choi ◽  
Heyoung Yang
Keyword(s):  
Technology Policy ◽  
Technology Development ◽  
Science And Technology ◽  
Delphi Survey ◽  
Science And Technology Policy ◽  
Technology Foresight ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Future Technology ◽  
Future Needs ◽  
Future Technologies

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to describe procedural characteristics of the 4th technology foresight (TF) using search engines to discover emerging issues; analytic framework development to discover future needs; future technologies considering future needs as well as technology development; detailed description of future technology; analytical discussions of Delphi survey results; developing spatial-specific scenarios and illustrations; and examining possible adverse effects of future technologies. Korea performs TF every 5 years to establish science and technology policy and strategies. In the 4th TF, future technologies that might be developed by 2035 were discovered and Delphi survey was conducted to examine current development status, anticipated times of technology development and public use, plans to secure these technologies, etc. Design/methodology/approach – This paper divides procedure employed in the 4th TF into three steps and explains seven characteristics related to its procedure. Findings – Improvement of the TF procedure will increase the reliability and applicability of its results. Originality/value – This paper consists of original results which include improved procedure and its implication by researchers who participated in the 4th TF. It will provide a useful example for other nations, hoping to introduce TF to set up national science and technology policy.

scholarly journals Gene Therapy: A Promising Therapeutic Strategy for Malaria

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 40-44
Author(s):  
Raafay Shehzad
Keyword(s):  
Gene Therapy ◽  
Therapeutic Strategy ◽  
Homing Endonuclease ◽  
Genetic Material ◽  
Gene Drive ◽  
Treatment And Prevention ◽  
Preventative Measures ◽  
Drive Systems ◽  
Embryonic Arrest ◽  
Diabetes And Obesity

Malaria is a serious illness caused by the Plasmodium parasite, which places approximately 3.5 billion people at risk. Currently, preventative measures are key in combatting this disease. However, gene therapy is an emerging field that shows promising results for the treatment of malaria, by modifying cells through the delivery of genetic material. Most notable was the discovery of CRISPR-Cas9, which not only allows deleterious mutations to be repaired, but does so with specificity, speed, and simplicity. There are numerous ongoing trials focusing on gene therapy in malaria treatment and prevention. They involve different approaches such as the genetic modification of vector mosquitoes to interfere with malaria transmission, use of CRISPR-Cas9, maternal-effect dominant embryonic arrest, homing endonuclease gene drive systems, and the design of specific Morpholino oligomers to interfere with the expression of parasitic characteristics. Overall, this emerging field shows promising results to treat and prevent not just malaria, but other diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and obesity.

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