1
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Bunting MD, Godahewa GI, McPherson NO, Robertson LJ, Gierus L, Piltz SG, Edwards O, Tizard M, Thomas PQ. Investigating the potential of X chromosome shredding for mouse genetic biocontrol. Sci Rep 2024; 14:13466. [PMID: 38866815 PMCID: PMC11169450 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63706-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas9 technology has facilitated development of strategies that can potentially provide more humane and effective methods to control invasive vertebrate species, such as mice. One promising strategy is X chromosome shredding which aims to bias offspring towards males, resulting in a gradual and unsustainable decline of females. This method has been explored in insects with encouraging results. Here, we investigated this strategy in Mus musculus by targeting repeat DNA sequences on the X chromosome with the aim of inducing sufficient DNA damage to specifically eliminate X chromosome-bearing sperm during gametogenesis. We tested three different guide RNAs (gRNAs) targeting different repeats on the X chromosome, together with three male germline-specific promoters for inducing Cas9 expression at different stages of spermatogenesis. A modest bias towards mature Y-bearing sperm was detected in some transgenic males, although this did not translate into significant male-biasing of offspring. Instead, cleavage of the X chromosome during meiosis typically resulted in a spermatogenic block, manifest as small testes volume, empty tubules, low sperm concentration, and sub/infertility. Our study highlights the importance of controlling the timing of CRISPR-Cas9 activity during mammalian spermatogenesis and the sensitivity of spermatocytes to X chromosome disruption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark D Bunting
- School of Biomedicine and Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Gelshan I Godahewa
- School of Biomedicine and Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- CSIRO Environment, Floreat, WA, 6014, Australia
| | - Nicole O McPherson
- School of Biomedicine and Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Louise J Robertson
- School of Biomedicine and Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Luke Gierus
- School of Biomedicine and Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Sandra G Piltz
- School of Biomedicine and Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | | | - Mark Tizard
- Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, CSIRO Health and Biosecurity, Geelong, VIC, 3220, Australia
| | - Paul Q Thomas
- School of Biomedicine and Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
- South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
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2
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Roberts AJ, Hackett K, Coche I, James SL, Littler K, Santos M, Emerson CI. Taking stock: Is gene drive research delivering on its principles? Gates Open Res 2024; 8:14. [PMID: 39035848 PMCID: PMC11259591 DOI: 10.12688/gatesopenres.15323.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Gene drive technology has been recognized for its potential to provide durable and cost-effective solutions for previously intractable problems in public health, conservation, and agriculture. In recognition of the rapid advances in this field, in 2016 the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine issued a report making several recommendations aimed at researchers, funders, and policymakers for the safe and responsible research and development of gene drive technology. Subsequently, in 2017 sixteen global organizations self-identifying as sponsors and supporters of gene drive research became public signatories committed to the 'Principles for Gene Drive Research' which were inspired by the report's recommendations. Herein we reflect on the progress of gene drive research in relation to the ethical principles laid out and committed to by the signatories to the Principles. Our analysis indicates high levels of alignment with the Principles in the field of gene drive research. The manuscript also discusses the Gene Drive Research Forum, which had its genesis in the publication of the Principles. Discussions between participants at the latest meeting of the Forum point to the work that lies ahead for gene drive research in line with the Principles. Going forward the gene drive research community can productively focus on: i) safety and efficacy criteria for open release, ii) risk assessment frameworks and methods, iii) more downstream technical, regulatory and policy considerations for field evaluations and implementation, iv) continued transparency and developing mechanisms of accountability, and v) strengthening capacity in locales of potential release and expected drive spread.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron J. Roberts
- Institute on Ethics & Policy for Innovation, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4L8, Canada
- Philosophy, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4L8, Canada
| | - Kristy Hackett
- Institute on Ethics & Policy for Innovation, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4L8, Canada
- Philosophy, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4L8, Canada
| | | | - Stephanie L. James
- GeneConvene Global Collaborative, Foundation for the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20852, USA
| | - Katherine Littler
- Global Health Ethics & Governance Unit, Research for Health, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Michael Santos
- GeneConvene Global Collaborative, Foundation for the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20852, USA
| | - Claudia I. Emerson
- Institute on Ethics & Policy for Innovation, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4L8, Canada
- Philosophy, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4L8, Canada
- Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4L8, Canada
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3
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Clark AC, Edison R, Esvelt K, Kamau S, Dutoit L, Champer J, Champer SE, Messer PW, Alexander A, Gemmell NJ. A framework for identifying fertility gene targets for mammalian pest control. Mol Ecol Resour 2024; 24:e13901. [PMID: 38009398 DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.13901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023]
Abstract
Fertility-targeted gene drives have been proposed as an ethical genetic approach for managing wild populations of vertebrate pests for public health and conservation benefit. This manuscript introduces a framework to identify and evaluate target gene suitability based on biological gene function, gene expression and results from mouse knockout models. This framework identified 16 genes essential for male fertility and 12 genes important for female fertility that may be feasible targets for mammalian gene drives and other non-drive genetic pest control technology. Further, a comparative genomics analysis demonstrates the conservation of the identified genes across several globally significant invasive mammals. In addition to providing important considerations for identifying candidate genes, our framework and the genes identified in this study may have utility in developing additional pest control tools such as wildlife contraceptives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna C Clark
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Department of Computational Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Rey Edison
- Media Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kevin Esvelt
- Media Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sebastian Kamau
- Media Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ludovic Dutoit
- Department of Zoology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Jackson Champer
- Center for Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Samuel E Champer
- Department of Computational Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Philipp W Messer
- Department of Computational Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Alana Alexander
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Neil J Gemmell
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
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4
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McGaughran A, Dhami MK, Parvizi E, Vaughan AL, Gleeson DM, Hodgins KA, Rollins LA, Tepolt CK, Turner KG, Atsawawaranunt K, Battlay P, Congrains C, Crottini A, Dennis TPW, Lange C, Liu XP, Matheson P, North HL, Popovic I, Rius M, Santure AW, Stuart KC, Tan HZ, Wang C, Wilson J. Genomic Tools in Biological Invasions: Current State and Future Frontiers. Genome Biol Evol 2024; 16:evad230. [PMID: 38109935 PMCID: PMC10776249 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evad230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Human activities are accelerating rates of biological invasions and climate-driven range expansions globally, yet we understand little of how genomic processes facilitate the invasion process. Although most of the literature has focused on underlying phenotypic correlates of invasiveness, advances in genomic technologies are showing a strong link between genomic variation and invasion success. Here, we consider the ability of genomic tools and technologies to (i) inform mechanistic understanding of biological invasions and (ii) solve real-world issues in predicting and managing biological invasions. For both, we examine the current state of the field and discuss how genomics can be leveraged in the future. In addition, we make recommendations pertinent to broader research issues, such as data sovereignty, metadata standards, collaboration, and science communication best practices that will require concerted efforts from the global invasion genomics community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela McGaughran
- Te Aka Mātuatua/School of Science, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand
| | - Manpreet K Dhami
- Biocontrol and Molecular Ecology, Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research, Lincoln, New Zealand
- School of Biological Sciences, Waipapa Taumata Rau/University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Elahe Parvizi
- Te Aka Mātuatua/School of Science, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand
| | - Amy L Vaughan
- Biocontrol and Molecular Ecology, Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research, Lincoln, New Zealand
| | - Dianne M Gleeson
- Centre for Conservation Ecology and Genomics, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Kathryn A Hodgins
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Lee A Rollins
- Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Carolyn K Tepolt
- Department of Biology, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA, USA
| | - Kathryn G Turner
- Department of Biological Sciences, Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID, USA
| | - Kamolphat Atsawawaranunt
- School of Biological Sciences, Waipapa Taumata Rau/University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Paul Battlay
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Carlos Congrains
- Entomology Section, Department of Plant and Environmental Protection Sciences, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
- US Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, Daniel K. Inouye US Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center, Hilo, HI 96720, USA
| | - Angelica Crottini
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Campus de Vairão, Universidade do Porto, Vairão 4485-661, Portugal
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Porto 4169–007, Portugal
- BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Vairão 4485-661, Portugal
| | - Tristan P W Dennis
- Department of Vector Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Claudia Lange
- Biocontrol and Molecular Ecology, Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research, Lincoln, New Zealand
| | - Xiaoyue P Liu
- Department of Marine Science, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Paige Matheson
- Te Aka Mātuatua/School of Science, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand
| | - Henry L North
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Iva Popovic
- School of the Environment, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Marc Rius
- Centre for Advanced Studies of Blanes (CEAB, CSIC), Accés a la Cala Sant Francesc, Blanes, Spain
- Department of Zoology, Centre for Ecological Genomics and Wildlife Conservation, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg 2006, South Africa
| | - Anna W Santure
- School of Biological Sciences, Waipapa Taumata Rau/University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Katarina C Stuart
- School of Biological Sciences, Waipapa Taumata Rau/University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Hui Zhen Tan
- School of Biological Sciences, Waipapa Taumata Rau/University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Cui Wang
- The Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Programme, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jonathan Wilson
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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5
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Alphey L. Sex or poison? Genetic pest management in the 21st century. BMC Biol 2023; 21:289. [PMID: 38155354 PMCID: PMC10755943 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-023-01785-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Luke Alphey
- Department of Biology, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, UK.
- York Biomedical Research Institute, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, UK.
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6
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Wahl M, Levy T, Ventura T, Sagi A. Monosex Populations of the Giant Freshwater Prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii-From a Pre-Molecular Start to the Next Generation Era. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17433. [PMID: 38139271 PMCID: PMC10743721 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Sexual manipulation in the giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii has proven successful in generating monosex (both all-male and all-female) populations for aquaculture using a crustacean-specific endocrine gland, the androgenic gland (AG), which serves as a key masculinizing factor by producing and secreting an insulin-like AG hormone (IAG). Here, we provide a summary of the advancements from the discovery of the AG and IAG in decapods through to the development of monosex populations in M. rosenbergii. We discuss the broader sexual development pathway, which is highly divergent across decapods, and provide our future perspective on the utility of novel genetic and genomic tools in promoting refined approaches towards monosex biotechnology. Finally, the future potential benefits of deploying monosex prawn populations for environmental management are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melody Wahl
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel;
| | - Tom Levy
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA;
- Hopkins Marine Station, Stanford University, Pacific Grove, CA 93950, USA
| | - Tomer Ventura
- Centre for Bioinnovation, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD 4556, Australia;
- School of Science and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD 4556, Australia
| | - Amir Sagi
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel;
- National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel
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7
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Raban R, Marshall JM, Hay BA, Akbari OS. Manipulating the Destiny of Wild Populations Using CRISPR. Annu Rev Genet 2023; 57:361-390. [PMID: 37722684 PMCID: PMC11064769 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-genet-031623-105059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/20/2023]
Abstract
Genetic biocontrol aims to suppress or modify populations of species to protect public health, agriculture, and biodiversity. Advancements in genome engineering technologies have fueled a surge in research in this field, with one gene editing technology, CRISPR, leading the charge. This review focuses on the current state of CRISPR technologies for genetic biocontrol of pests and highlights the progress and ongoing challenges of using these approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robyn Raban
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA;
| | - John M Marshall
- Divisions of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Bruce A Hay
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering (BBE), California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, USA
| | - Omar S Akbari
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA;
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8
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Pan M, Champer J. Making waves: Comparative analysis of gene drive spread characteristics in a continuous space model. Mol Ecol 2023; 32:5673-5694. [PMID: 37694511 DOI: 10.1111/mec.17131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
With their ability to rapidly increase in frequency, gene drives can be used to modify or suppress target populations after an initial release of drive individuals. Recent advances have revealed many possibilities for different types of drives, and several of these have been realized in experiments. These drives have advantages and disadvantages related to their ease of construction, confinement and capacity to be used for modification or suppression. Though characteristics of these drives have been explored in modelling studies, assessment in continuous space environments has been limited, often focusing on outcomes rather than fundamental properties. Here, we conduct a comparative analysis of many different gene drive types that have the capacity to form a wave of advance in continuous space using individual-based simulations in continuous space. We evaluate the drive wave speed as a function of drive performance and ecological parameters, which reveals substantial differences between drive performance in panmictic versus spatial environments. In particular, we find that suppression drive waves are uniquely vulnerable to fitness costs and undesired CRISPR cleavage activity in embryos by maternal deposition. Some drives, however, retain robust performance even with widely varying efficiency parameters. To gain a better understanding of drive waves, we compare their panmictic performance and find that the rate of wild-type allele removal is correlated with drive wave speed, though this is also affected by other factors. Overall, our results provide a useful resource for understanding the performance of drives in spatially continuous environments, which may be most representative of potential drive deployment in many relevant scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingzuyu Pan
- Center for Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Jackson Champer
- Center for Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
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9
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Combs MA, Golnar AJ, Overcash JM, Lloyd AL, Hayes KR, O'Brochta DA, Pepin KM. Leveraging eco-evolutionary models for gene drive risk assessment. Trends Genet 2023:S0168-9525(23)00090-2. [PMID: 37198063 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2023.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Engineered gene drives create potential for both widespread benefits and irreversible harms to ecosystems. CRISPR-based systems of allelic conversion have rapidly accelerated gene drive research across diverse taxa, putting field trials and their necessary risk assessments on the horizon. Dynamic process-based models provide flexible quantitative platforms to predict gene drive outcomes in the context of system-specific ecological and evolutionary features. Here, we synthesize gene drive dynamic modeling studies to highlight research trends, knowledge gaps, and emergent principles, organized around their genetic, demographic, spatial, environmental, and implementation features. We identify the phenomena that most significantly influence model predictions, discuss limitations of biological complexity and uncertainty, and provide insights to promote responsible development and model-assisted risk assessment of gene drives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew A Combs
- National Wildlife Research Center, United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, Fort Collins, CO, 80521, USA.
| | - Andrew J Golnar
- National Wildlife Research Center, United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, Fort Collins, CO, 80521, USA
| | - Justin M Overcash
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Biotechnology Regulatory Services, 20737, USA
| | - Alun L Lloyd
- North Carolina State University, Biomathematics Graduate Program and Department of Mathematics, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA
| | - Keith R Hayes
- The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Data 61, Hobart, TAS, 7004, Australia
| | - David A O'Brochta
- Foundation for the National Institutes of Health, North Bethesda, MD, 20852, USA
| | - Kim M Pepin
- National Wildlife Research Center, United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, Fort Collins, CO, 80521, USA
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10
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James SL, O'Brochta DA, Randazzo F, Akbari OS. A gene drive is a gene drive: the debate over lumping or splitting definitions. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1749. [PMID: 36991021 PMCID: PMC10060380 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37483-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie L James
- Foundation for the National Institutes of Health, North Bethesda, MD, 20852, USA
| | - David A O'Brochta
- Foundation for the National Institutes of Health, North Bethesda, MD, 20852, USA
| | | | - Omar S Akbari
- University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
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11
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Gene drive-mediated population elimination for biodiversity conservation. When you come to a fork in the road, take it. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2218020119. [PMID: 36512501 PMCID: PMC9907123 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2218020119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
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12
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Abstract
Invasive rodents are a major cause of environmental damage and biodiversity loss, particularly on islands. Unlike insects, genetic biocontrol strategies including population-suppressing gene drives with biased inheritance have not been developed in mice. Here, we demonstrate a gene drive strategy (tCRISPR) that leverages super-Mendelian transmission of the t haplotype to spread inactivating mutations in a haplosufficient female fertility gene (Prl). Using spatially explicit individual-based in silico modeling, we show that tCRISPR can eradicate island populations under a range of realistic field-based parameter values. We also engineer transgenic tCRISPR mice that, crucially, exhibit biased transmission of the modified t haplotype and Prl mutations at levels our modeling predicts would be sufficient for eradication. This is an example of a feasible gene drive system for invasive alien rodent population control.
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