scholarly journals Population genomics of invasive rodents on islands: Genetic consequences of colonization and prospects for localized synthetic gene drive

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin P. Oh ◽  
Aaron B. Shiels ◽  
Laura Shiels ◽  
Dimitri V. Blondel ◽  
Karl J. Campbell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Population Genomics ◽  
Synthetic Gene ◽  
Gene Drive ◽  
Invasive Rodents

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.

CRISPR-Clear: A Fieldable Detection Procedure for Potential CRISPR-Cas9 Gene Drive Based Bioweapons

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna C. Nieuwenweg ◽  
Martijn M. van Galen ◽  
Angelina Horsting ◽  
Jorrit W. Hegge ◽  
Aldrik Velders ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Modification ◽  
Screening Method ◽  
Dna Amplification ◽  
Synthetic Gene ◽  
Rapid Progression ◽  
Gene Drive ◽  
Naked Eye ◽  
Amplification Technique ◽  
Specific Alteration ◽  
Gene Drives

<p>Rapid progression in genetic modification research has made gene editing increasingly cheaper and easier to use. CRISPR-Cas9 for example, allows for the specific alteration of the genome of an organism with relative simplicity and low costs. This raised a worrying question; can genetic modification techniques be used to create novel bioweapons? A specific scenario is the initiation of a synthetic gene drive for malicious purposes. A synthetic gene drive can be used to quickly spread a mutation through an entire population. This mutation could alter vectors in such a way that they will spread human diseases or eradicate essential organisms. Since a gene drive spreads efficiently through a population, timely detection is essential. Thus, a quick and field deployable screening method is needed to counteract the malicious use of gene drives. </p> <p>Here, we show a battery-operated, sensitive screening method, named CRISPR-Clear, for the detection of gene drive modified organisms. CRISPR-Clear is based on the combination of three components: 1) A DNA amplification technique known as loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) for detecting the presence of a gene drive; b) a portable battery-operated Arduino device which heats up the sample to allow DNA amplification, and c) a naked-eye visualization of the results. </p> <p>We designed and tested six LAMP primers targeting a Cas9 endonuclease-based gene drive, assembled a battery-operated Arduino device and tested the naked-eye visualization method. In addition, we were able to detect the presence of the Cas9 gene, extracted from a transformed bacteria, providing a proof-of-concept of the CRISPR-Clear device.</p>

scholarly journals A Synthetic Gene Drive System for Local, Reversible Modification and Suppression of Insect Populations

2013 ◽  
Vol 23 (8) ◽  
pp. 671-677 ◽  
Author(s):  
Omar S. Akbari ◽  
Kelly D. Matzen ◽  
John M. Marshall ◽  
Haixia Huang ◽  
Catherine M. Ward ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drive System ◽  
Synthetic Gene ◽  
Gene Drive ◽  
Insect Populations ◽  
Reversible Modification

scholarly journals Resistance to natural and synthetic gene drive systems

2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (10) ◽  
pp. 1345-1360
Author(s):  
Tom A. R. Price ◽  
Nikolai Windbichler ◽  
Robert L. Unckless ◽  
Andreas Sutter ◽  
Jan‐Niklas Runge ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Synthetic Gene ◽  
Gene Drive ◽  
Drive Systems ◽  
Natural And Synthetic

scholarly journals Rodent gene drives for conservation: opportunities and data needs

2019 ◽  
Vol 286 (1914) ◽  
pp. 20191606 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Godwin ◽  
Megan Serr ◽  
S. Kathleen Barnhill-Dilling ◽  
Dimitri V. Blondel ◽  
Peter R. Brown ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Genetic Model ◽  
Current Control ◽  
Invasive Pest ◽  
Gene Drive ◽  
Knowledge Gaps ◽  
Drive Systems ◽  
Invasive Rodents ◽  
Gene Drives

Invasive rodents impact biodiversity, human health and food security worldwide. The biodiversity impacts are particularly significant on islands, which are the primary sites of vertebrate extinctions and where we are reaching the limits of current control technologies. Gene drives may represent an effective approach to this challenge, but knowledge gaps remain in a number of areas. This paper is focused on what is currently known about natural and developing synthetic gene drive systems in mice, some key areas where key knowledge gaps exist, findings in a variety of disciplines relevant to those gaps and a brief consideration of how engagement at the regulatory, stakeholder and community levels can accompany and contribute to this effort. Our primary species focus is the house mouse, Mus musculus , as a genetic model system that is also an important invasive pest. Our primary application focus is the development of gene drive systems intended to reduce reproduction and potentially eliminate invasive rodents from islands. Gene drive technologies in rodents have the potential to produce significant benefits for biodiversity conservation, human health and food security. A broad-based, multidisciplinary approach is necessary to assess this potential in a transparent, effective and responsible manner.

scholarly journals Synthetic gene drive: between continuity and novelty

EMBO Reports ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Samson Simon ◽  
Mathias Otto ◽  
Margret Engelhard
Keyword(s):  
Synthetic Gene ◽  
Gene Drive

scholarly journals Controlling invasive rodents via synthetic gene drive and the role of polyandry

2019 ◽  
Vol 286 (1909) ◽  
pp. 20190852 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andri Manser ◽  
Stephen J. Cornell ◽  
Andreas Sutter ◽  
Dimitri V. Blondel ◽  
Megan Serr ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Target Population ◽  
Natural Setting ◽  
Pest Species ◽  
Gene Drive ◽  
Island Ecosystems ◽  
Control Programmes ◽  
Potential Pest ◽  
Invasive Rodents ◽  
Native Invasive

House mice are a major ecosystem pest, particularly threatening island ecosystems as a non-native invasive species. Rapid advances in synthetic biology offer new avenues to control pest species for biodiversity conservation. Recently, a synthetic sperm-killing gene drive construct called t-Sry has been proposed as a means to eradicate target mouse populations owing to a lack of females. A factor that has received little attention in the discussion surrounding such drive applications is polyandry. Previous research has demonstrated that sperm-killing drivers are extremely damaging to a male’s sperm competitive ability. Here, we examine the importance of this effect on the t-Sry system using a theoretical model. We find that polyandry substantially hampers the spread of t-Sry such that release efforts have to be increased three- to sixfold for successful eradication. We discuss the implications of our finding for potential pest control programmes, the risk of drive spread beyond the target population, and the emergence of drive resistance. Our work highlights that a solid understanding of the forces that determine drive dynamics in a natural setting is key for successful drive application, and that exploring the natural diversity of gene drives may inform effective gene drive design.

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