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Pérez AA, Vazquez-Meves G, Hunter ME. Early Detection of Wildlife Disease Pathogens Using CRISPR-Cas System Methods. CRISPR J 2024; 7:327-342. [PMID: 39479796 DOI: 10.1089/crispr.2024.0030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Wildlife diseases are a considerable threat to human health, conservation, and the economy. Surveillance is a critical component to mitigate the impact of animal diseases in these sectors. To monitor human diseases, CRISPR-Cas (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-CRISPR-associated protein) biosensors have proven instrumental as diagnostic tools capable of detecting unique DNA and RNA sequences related to their associated pathogens. However, despite the significant advances in the general development of CRISPR-Cas biosensors, their use to support wildlife disease management is lagging. In some cases, wildlife diseases of concern could be rapidly surveyed using these tools with minimal technical, operational, or cost requirements to end users. This review explores the potential to further leverage this technology to advance wildlife disease monitoring and highlights how concerted standardization of protocols can help to ensure data reliability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam A Pérez
- U.S. Geological Survey, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | | | - Margaret E Hunter
- U.S. Geological Survey, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, Gainesville, Florida, USA
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2
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Zhou W, Arcot Y, Medina RF, Bernal J, Cisneros-Zevallos L, Akbulut MES. Integrated Pest Management: An Update on the Sustainability Approach to Crop Protection. ACS OMEGA 2024; 9:41130-41147. [PMID: 39398119 PMCID: PMC11465254 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.4c06628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2024] [Revised: 09/15/2024] [Accepted: 09/19/2024] [Indexed: 10/15/2024]
Abstract
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) emerged as a pest control framework promoting sustainable intensification of agriculture, by adopting a combined strategy to reduce reliance on chemical pesticides while improving crop productivity and ecosystem health. This critical review synthesizes the most recent advances in IPM research and practice, mostly focusing on studies published within the past five years. The Review discusses the key components of IPM, including cultural practices, biological control, genetic pest control, and targeted pesticide application, with a particular emphasis on the significant advancements made in biological control and targeted pesticide delivery systems. Recent findings highlight the growing importance of genetic control and conservation biological control, which involves the management of agricultural landscapes to promote natural enemy populations. Furthermore, the recent discovery of novel biopesticides, including microbial agents and plant-derived compounds, has expanded the arsenal of tools available for eco-friendly pest management. Substantial progress has recently also been made in the development of targeted pesticide delivery systems, such as nanoemulsions and controlled-release formulations, which can minimize the environmental impact of pesticides while maintaining their efficacy. The Review also analyzes the environmental, economic, and social dimensions of IPM adoption, showcasing its potential to promote biodiversity conservation and ensure food safety. Case studies from various agroecological contexts demonstrate the successful implementation of IPM programs, highlighting the importance of participatory approaches and effective knowledge exchange among stakeholders. The Review also identifies the main challenges and opportunities for the widespread adoption of IPM, including the need for transdisciplinary research, capacity building, and policy support. In conclusion, this critical review discusses the essential role of IPM components in achieving the sustainable intensification of agriculture, as it seeks to optimize crop production while minimizing adverse environmental impacts and enhancing the resilience of agricultural systems to global challenges such as climate change and biodiversity loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wentao Zhou
- Artie
McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Yashwanth Arcot
- Artie
McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Raul F. Medina
- Department
of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Julio Bernal
- Department
of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Luis Cisneros-Zevallos
- Department
of Horticultural Sciences, Texas A&M
University, College
Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Mustafa E. S. Akbulut
- Artie
McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
- Materials
Science and Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
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3
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Hildebrandt TB, Holtze S. Advanced assisted reproduction technologies in endangered mammalian species. Reprod Domest Anim 2024; 59 Suppl 3:e14700. [PMID: 39396875 DOI: 10.1111/rda.14700] [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: 05/14/2024] [Revised: 07/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 10/15/2024]
Abstract
A new synergistic approach of classical conservation strategies combined with advanced assisted reproduction technologies (aART) allows for protection and rescue of endangered keystone species at the brink of extinction, which can help to safeguard complex ecosystems. Reproduction biology and management in mammal species is not only challenging in regards to their diverging sizes, anatomy, and often unknown physiology; it also requires customized training or chemical restraint protocols for safe handling. Besides these general challenges, there are several new assisted reproduction techniques (ART) specifically tailored to critically endangered mammals. The current portfolio of ART in these mammalian taxa is ranging from sexual cycle characterization and manipulation, semen collection and cryopreservation, artificial insemination, biobanking of living cells, oocyte collection, in vitro fertilization (IVF), and embryo production, embryo transfer as well as stem cell-derived in vitro gametogenesis for generating gametes in culture. The article covers advanced assisted reproduction technologies (aART), success and challenges, as well as ethical implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Bernd Hildebrandt
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW), Berlin, Germany
- Faculty Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universitaet Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Susanne Holtze
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW), Berlin, Germany
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Feng R, Champer J. Deployment of tethered gene drive for confined suppression in continuous space requires avoiding drive wave interference. Mol Ecol 2024; 33:e17530. [PMID: 39282691 DOI: 10.1111/mec.17530] [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: 06/25/2024] [Revised: 08/29/2024] [Accepted: 09/03/2024] [Indexed: 10/25/2024]
Abstract
Gene drives have great potential for suppression of pest populations and removal of exotic invasive species. CRISPR homing suppression drive is a powerful but unconfined drive, posing risks of uncontrolled spread. Thus, developing methods for confining a gene drive is of great significance. Tethered drive combines a confined system such as Toxin-Antidote Recessive Embryo drive with a strong drive such as a homing suppression drive. It can prevent the homing drive from spreading beyond the confined drive and can be constructed readily, giving it good prospects for future development. However, we have found that care must be taken when deploying tethered drive systems in some scenarios. Simulations of tethered drive in a panmictic population model reveal that successful deployment requires a proper release ratio between the two components, tailored to prevent the suppression drive from eliminating the confined system before it has the chance to spread. Spatial models where the population moves over a one-dimensional landscape display a more serious phenomenon of drive wave interference between the two tethered drive components. If the faster suppression drive wave catches up to the confined drive wave, success is still possible, but it is dependent on drive performance and ecological parameters. Two-dimensional simulations further restrict the parameter range for drive success. Thus, careful consideration must be given to drive performance and ecological conditions, as well as specific release proposals for potential application of tethered drive systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruobing Feng
- Center for Bioinformatics, Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Jackson Champer
- Center for Bioinformatics, Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
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Zhu J, Chen J, Liu Y, Xu X, Champer J. Population suppression with dominant female-lethal alleles is boosted by homing gene drive. BMC Biol 2024; 22:201. [PMID: 39256812 PMCID: PMC11389273 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-024-02004-x] [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: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/03/2024] [Indexed: 09/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Methods to suppress pest insect populations using genetic constructs and repeated releases of male homozygotes have recently been shown to be an attractive alternative to older sterile insect techniques based on radiation. Female-specific lethal alleles have substantially increased power, but still require large, sustained transgenic insect releases. Gene drive alleles bias their own inheritance to spread throughout populations, potentially allowing population suppression with a single, small-size release. However, suppression drives often suffer from efficiency issues, and the most well-studied type, homing drives, tend to spread without limit. RESULTS In this study, we show that coupling female-specific lethal alleles with homing gene drive allowed substantial improvement in efficiency while still retaining the self-limiting nature (and thus confinement) of a lethal allele strategy. Using a mosquito model, we show the required release sizes for population elimination in a variety of scenarios, including different density growth curves, with comparisons to other systems. Resistance alleles reduced the power of this method, but these could be overcome by targeting an essential gene with the drive while also providing rescue. A proof-of-principle demonstration of this system in Drosophila melanogaster was effective in both biasing its inheritance and achieving high lethality among females that inherit the construct in the absence of antibiotic. CONCLUSIONS Overall, our study shows that substantial improvements can be achieved in female-specific lethal systems for population suppression by combining them with various types of gene drive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinyu Zhu
- Center for Bioinformatics, Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Jingheng Chen
- Center for Bioinformatics, Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Yiran Liu
- Center for Bioinformatics, Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Xuejiao Xu
- Center for Bioinformatics, Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Jackson Champer
- Center for Bioinformatics, Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.
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Resnik DB, Medina RF, Gould F, Church G, Kuzma J. Genes drive organisms and slippery slopes. Pathog Glob Health 2024; 118:348-357. [PMID: 36562087 PMCID: PMC11234912 DOI: 10.1080/20477724.2022.2160895] [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: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The bioethical debate about using gene drives to alter or eradicate wild populations has focused mostly on issues concerning short-term risk assessment and management, governance and oversight, and public and community engagement, but has not examined big-picture- 'where is this going?'-questions in great depth. In other areas of bioethical controversy, big-picture questions often enter the public forum via slippery slope arguments. Given the incredible potential of gene drive organisms to alter the Earth's biota, it is somewhat surprising that slippery slope arguments have not played a more prominent role in ethical and policy debates about these emerging technologies. In this article, we examine a type of slippery slope argument against using gene drives to alter or suppress wild pest populations and consider whether it has a role to play in ethical and policy debates. Although we conclude that this argument does not provide compelling reasons for banning the use of gene drives in wild pest populations, we believe that it still has value as a morally instructive cautionary narrative that can motivate scientists, ethicists, and members of the public to think more clearly about appropriate vs. inappropriate uses of gene drive technologies, the long-term and cumulative and emergent risks of using gene drives in wild populations, and steps that can be taken to manage these risks, such as protecting wilderness areas where people can enjoy life forms that have not been genetically engineered.
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Affiliation(s)
- David B. Resnik
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Raul F. Medina
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Fred Gould
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - George Church
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jennifer Kuzma
- School of Public and International Affairs, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
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Wei T, Ni H. Establishing aqueous two-phase flotation coupled with preparative high performance liquid chromatography and its application for the purification of astragalin from Flaveria bidentis. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2024; 1240:124141. [PMID: 38691943 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2024.124141] [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: 03/21/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
The strategy of aqueous two-phase flotation (ATPF) followed by preparative high performance liquid chromatography (prep-HPLC) was established and used for the separation of astragalin from Flaveria bidentis. In the ATPF, the effects of sublation solvent, solution pH, (NH4)2SO4 concentration in aqueous solution, cosolvent, N2 flow rate, flotation time and volumes of the PEG phase on the recovery of astragalin were investigated in detail, and the optimal conditions of ATPF were selected: 50 wt% PEG1000 ethanol solvent as the flotation solvent, pH 4, 350 g/L of (NH4)2SO4 concentration in 5 % ethanol aqueous phase, 40 mL/min of N2 flow rate, 30 min of flotation time, 10.0 mL of flotation solvent volume and twice. After ATPF enrichment, the flotation product was further purified by prep-HPLC. As determined by HPLC, the purity of astragalin was 98.8 %.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tongyu Wei
- College of Resources and Environment Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, PR China
| | - Hanwen Ni
- College of Resources and Environment Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, PR China.
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Jeevanandam J, Rodrigues J. Sustainable synthesis of bionanomaterials using non-native plant extracts for maintaining ecological balance: A computational bibliography analysis. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 358:120892. [DOI: https:/doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.120892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
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9
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Jeevanandam J, Rodrigues J. Sustainable synthesis of bionanomaterials using non-native plant extracts for maintaining ecological balance: A computational bibliography analysis. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 358:120892. [PMID: 38663082 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.120892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/04/2024]
Abstract
Biological approaches via biomolecular extracts of bacteria, fungi, or plants have recently been introduced as an alternative approach to synthesizing less or nontoxic nanomaterials, compared to conventional physical and chemical approaches. Among these biological methods, plant-mediated approaches (phytosynthesis) are reported to be highly beneficial for large-scale, nontoxic nanomaterial synthesis. However, plant-mediated synthesis of nanomaterials using native plant extract can lead to bioprospecting issues and deforestation challenges. On the other hand, non-native or invasive plants are non-indigenous to a particular geographic location that can grow and spread rapidly, ultimately disrupting the local and endogenous plant communities or ecosystems. Thus, controlling or eradicating these non-native plants before they damage the ecosystem is necessary. Even though mechanical, chemical, and biological approaches are available to control non-native plants, all these methods possess certain limitations, such as environmental toxicity, disturbance in the nutrient cycle, and loss of genetic integrity. Therefore, non-native plants were recently proposed as a novel sustainable source of phytochemicals for preparing nanomaterials via green chemistry, mainly metallic nanoparticles, as an alternative to native, agriculture-based, or medicinal plants. This work aims to cover a literature gap on plant-mediated bionanomaterial synthesis with an overview and bibliography analysis of non-native plants via novel data mining and advanced visualization tools. In addition, the potential of non-native plants as a sustainable, green chemistry-based alternative for bionanomaterial preparation for maintaining ecological balance, the mechanism of formation via phytochemicals, and their possible applications to promote their control and spread were also discussed. The bibliography analysis revealed that only an average of 4 articles have been published in the last 10 years (2013-2023) on non-native/invasive plants for nanomaterial synthesis, which shows the significance of this article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaison Jeevanandam
- CQM - Centro de Química da Madeira, MMRG, Universidade da Madeira, Campus da Penteada, 9020-105, Funchal, Portugal
| | - João Rodrigues
- CQM - Centro de Química da Madeira, MMRG, Universidade da Madeira, Campus da Penteada, 9020-105, Funchal, Portugal.
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10
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Habib MR, Bu L, Posavi M, Zhong D, Yan G, Zhang SM. Yolk proteins of the schistosomiasis vector snail Biomphalaria glabrata revealed by multi-omics analysis. Sci Rep 2024; 14:1820. [PMID: 38245605 PMCID: PMC10799875 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-52392-x] [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: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Vitellogenesis is the most important process in animal reproduction, in which yolk proteins play a vital role. Among multiple yolk protein precursors, vitellogenin (Vtg) is a well-known major yolk protein (MYP) in most oviparous animals. However, the nature of MYP in the freshwater gastropod snail Biomphalaria glabrata remains elusive. In the current study, we applied bioinformatics, tissue-specific transcriptomics, ovotestis-targeted proteomics, and phylogenetics to investigate the large lipid transfer protein (LLTP) superfamily and ferritin-like family in B. glabrata. Four members of LLTP superfamily (BgVtg1, BgVtg2, BgApo1, and BgApo2), one yolk ferritin (Bg yolk ferritin), and four soma ferritins (Bg ferritin 1, 2, 3, and 4) were identified in B. glabrata genome. The proteomic analysis demonstrated that, among the putative yolk proteins, BgVtg1 was the yolk protein appearing in the highest amount in the ovotestis, followed by Bg yolk ferritin. RNAseq profile showed that the leading synthesis sites of BgVtg1 and Bg yolk ferritin are in the ovotestis (presumably follicle cells) and digestive gland, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that BgVtg1 is well clustered with Vtgs of other vertebrates and invertebrates. We conclude that, vitellogenin (BgVtg1), not yolk ferritin (Bg yolk ferritin), is the major yolk protein precursor in the schistosomiasis vector snail B. glabrata.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed R Habib
- Department of Biology, Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Lijing Bu
- Department of Biology, Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Marijan Posavi
- Department of Biology, Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Daibin Zhong
- Program in Public Health, College of Health Science, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Guiyun Yan
- Program in Public Health, College of Health Science, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Si-Ming Zhang
- Department of Biology, Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA.
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Sutherland WJ, Bennett C, Brotherton PNM, Butchart SHM, Butterworth HM, Clarke SJ, Esmail N, Fleishman E, Gaston KJ, Herbert-Read JE, Hughes AC, James J, Kaartokallio H, Le Roux X, Lickorish FA, Newport S, Palardy JE, Pearce-Higgins JW, Peck LS, Pettorelli N, Primack RB, Primack WE, Schloss IR, Spalding MD, Ten Brink D, Tew E, Timoshyna A, Tubbs N, Watson JEM, Wentworth J, Wilson JD, Thornton A. A horizon scan of global biological conservation issues for 2024. Trends Ecol Evol 2024; 39:89-100. [PMID: 38114339 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2023.11.001] [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: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
We present the results of our 15th horizon scan of novel issues that could influence biological conservation in the future. From an initial list of 96 issues, our international panel of scientists and practitioners identified 15 that we consider important for societies worldwide to track and potentially respond to. Issues are novel within conservation or represent a substantial positive or negative step-change with global or regional extents. For example, new sources of hydrogen fuel and changes in deep-sea currents may have profound impacts on marine and terrestrial ecosystems. Technological advances that may be positive include benchtop DNA printers and the industrialisation of approaches that can create high-protein food from air, potentially reducing the pressure on land for food production.
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Affiliation(s)
- William J Sutherland
- Conservation Science Group, Department of Zoology, Cambridge University, The David Attenborough Building, Pembroke Street, Cambridge CB2 3QZ, UK.
| | - Craig Bennett
- Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts, The Kiln, Waterside, Mather Road, Newark, Nottinghamshire NG24 1WT, UK
| | | | - Stuart H M Butchart
- Conservation Science Group, Department of Zoology, Cambridge University, The David Attenborough Building, Pembroke Street, Cambridge CB2 3QZ, UK; Birdlife International, The David Attenborough Building, Pembroke Street, Cambridge CB2 3QZ, UK
| | - Holly M Butterworth
- Natural Resources Wales, Cambria House, 29 Newport Road, Cardiff CF24 0TP, UK
| | | | - Nafeesa Esmail
- Wilder Institute, 1300 Zoo Road NE, Calgary, AB T2E 7V6, Canada
| | - Erica Fleishman
- College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - Kevin J Gaston
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9FE, UK
| | | | - Alice C Hughes
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China, China
| | - Jennifer James
- The Environment Agency, Horizon House, Deanery Road, Bristol BS1 5TL, UK
| | | | - Xavier Le Roux
- Microbial Ecology Centre, Université Lyon 1, INRAE, CNRS, UMR 1418, 69622 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Fiona A Lickorish
- UK Research and Consultancy Services (RCS) Ltd, Valletts Cottage, Westhope, Hereford HR4 8BU, UK
| | - Sarah Newport
- UK Research and Innovation, Natural Environment Research Council, Polaris House, North Star Avenue, Swindon SN2 1EU, UK
| | - James E Palardy
- The Pew Charitable Trusts, 901 East Street NW, Washington, DC 20004, USA
| | - James W Pearce-Higgins
- Conservation Science Group, Department of Zoology, Cambridge University, The David Attenborough Building, Pembroke Street, Cambridge CB2 3QZ, UK; British Trust for Ornithology, The Nunnery, Thetford, Norfolk IP24 2PU, UK
| | - Lloyd S Peck
- British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ET, UK
| | - Nathalie Pettorelli
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY, UK
| | | | | | - Irene R Schloss
- Instituto Antártico Argentino, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas (CADIC-CONICET), Ushuaia, Argentina; Universidad Nacional de Tierra del Fuego, Ushuaia, Argentina
| | - Mark D Spalding
- Conservation Science Group, Department of Zoology, Cambridge University, The David Attenborough Building, Pembroke Street, Cambridge CB2 3QZ, UK; The Nature Conservancy, Department of Physical, Earth, and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Pian dei Mantellini, Siena 53100, Italy
| | - Dirk Ten Brink
- Wetlands International, 6700 AL Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Eleanor Tew
- Conservation Science Group, Department of Zoology, Cambridge University, The David Attenborough Building, Pembroke Street, Cambridge CB2 3QZ, UK; Forestry England, 620 Bristol Business Park, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol BS16 1EJ, UK
| | - Anastasiya Timoshyna
- TRAFFIC, The David Attenborough Building, Pembroke Street, Cambridge CB2 3QZ, UK
| | - Nicolas Tubbs
- WWF-Belgium, Boulevard Emile Jacqmainlaan 90, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
| | - James E M Watson
- School of The Environment, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Jonathan Wentworth
- Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology, 14 Tothill Street, Westminster, London SW1H 9NB, UK
| | - Jeremy D Wilson
- RSPB Centre for Conservation Science, 2 Lochside View, Edinburgh EH12 9DH, UK
| | - Ann Thornton
- Conservation Science Group, Department of Zoology, Cambridge University, The David Attenborough Building, Pembroke Street, Cambridge CB2 3QZ, UK
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12
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Lin D, Hong J, Sanogo B, Du S, Xiang S, Hui JHL, Ding T, Wu Z, Sun X. Core gut microbes Cloacibacterium and Aeromonas associated with different gastropod species could be persistently transmitted across multiple generations. MICROBIOME 2023; 11:267. [PMID: 38017581 PMCID: PMC10685545 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-023-01700-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies on the gut microbiota of animals have largely focused on vertebrates. The transmission modes of commensal intestinal bacteria in mammals have been well studied. However, in gastropods, the relationship between gut microbiota and hosts is still poorly understood. To gain a better understanding of the composition of gut microbes and their transmission routes in gastropods, a large-scale and long-term experiment on the dynamics and transmission modes of gut microbiota was conducted on freshwater snails. RESULTS We analyzed 244 microbial samples from the digestive tracts of freshwater gastropods and identified Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes as dominant gut microbes. Aeromonas, Cloacibacterium, and Cetobacterium were identified as core microbes in the guts, accounting for over 50% of the total sequences. Furthermore, both core bacteria Aeromonas and Cloacibacterium, were shared among 7 gastropod species and played an important role in determining the gut microbial community types of both wild and cultured gastropods. Analysis of the gut microbiota at the population level, including wild gastropods and their offspring, indicated that a proportion of gut microbes could be consistently vertically transmitted inheritance, while the majority of the gut microbes resulted from horizontal transmission. Comparing cultured snails to their wild counterparts, we observed an increasing trend in the proportion of shared microbes and a decreasing trend in the number of unique microbes among wild gastropods and their offspring reared in a cultured environment. Core gut microbes, Aeromonas and Cloacibacterium, remained persistent and dispersed from wild snails to their offspring across multiple generations. Interestingly, under cultured environments, the gut microbiota in wild gastropods could only be maintained for up to 2 generations before converging with that of cultured snails. The difference observed in gut bacterial metabolism functions was associated with this transition. Our study also demonstrated that the gut microbial compositions in gastropods are influenced by developmental stages and revealed the presence of Aeromonas and Cloacibacterium throughout the life cycle in gastropods. Based on the dynamics of core gut microbes, it may be possible to predict the health status of gastropods during their adaptation to new environments. Additionally, gut microbial metabolic functions were found to be associated with the adaptive evolution of gastropods from wild to cultured environments. CONCLUSIONS Our findings provide novel insights into the dynamic processes of gut microbiota colonization in gastropod mollusks and unveil the modes of microbial transmission within their guts. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Datao Lin
- Department of Parasitology, Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (Ministry of Education), Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
- Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Diseases-vectors Control and Chinese Atomic Energy Agency Center of Excellence on Nuclear Technology Applications for Insect Control, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Jinni Hong
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Benjamin Sanogo
- Department of Parasitology, Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (Ministry of Education), Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Institut National de Recherche en Sante Publique, Bamako, Mali
| | - Shuling Du
- Department of Parasitology, Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (Ministry of Education), Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Diseases-vectors Control and Chinese Atomic Energy Agency Center of Excellence on Nuclear Technology Applications for Insect Control, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Suoyu Xiang
- Department of Parasitology, Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (Ministry of Education), Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Diseases-vectors Control and Chinese Atomic Energy Agency Center of Excellence on Nuclear Technology Applications for Insect Control, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jerome Ho-Lam Hui
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, School of Life Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Tao Ding
- Department of Parasitology, Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (Ministry of Education), Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
- Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Diseases-vectors Control and Chinese Atomic Energy Agency Center of Excellence on Nuclear Technology Applications for Insect Control, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Zhongdao Wu
- Department of Parasitology, Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (Ministry of Education), Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
- Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Diseases-vectors Control and Chinese Atomic Energy Agency Center of Excellence on Nuclear Technology Applications for Insect Control, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Xi Sun
- Department of Parasitology, Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (Ministry of Education), Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
- Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Diseases-vectors Control and Chinese Atomic Energy Agency Center of Excellence on Nuclear Technology Applications for Insect Control, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
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13
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Harvey-Samuel T, Feng X, Okamoto EM, Purusothaman DK, Leftwich PT, Alphey L, Gantz VM. CRISPR-based gene drives generate super-Mendelian inheritance in the disease vector Culex quinquefasciatus. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7561. [PMID: 37985762 PMCID: PMC10662442 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41834-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Culex mosquitoes pose a significant public health threat as vectors for a variety of diseases including West Nile virus and lymphatic filariasis, and transmit pathogens threatening livestock, companion animals, and endangered birds. Rampant insecticide resistance makes controlling these mosquitoes challenging and necessitates the development of new control strategies. Gene drive technologies have made significant progress in other mosquito species, although similar advances have been lagging in Culex. Here we test a CRISPR-based homing gene drive for Culex quinquefasciatus, and show that the inheritance of two split-gene-drive transgenes, targeting different loci, are biased in the presence of a Cas9-expressing transgene although with modest efficiencies. Our findings extend the list of disease vectors where engineered homing gene drives have been demonstrated to include Culex alongside Anopheles and Aedes, and pave the way for future development of these technologies to control Culex mosquitoes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim Harvey-Samuel
- Arthropod Genetics Group, The Pirbright Institute, Woking, GU24 0NF, UK
| | - Xuechun Feng
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
- Institute of Infectious Diseases, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Guangdong, 518106, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Emily M Okamoto
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Deepak-Kumar Purusothaman
- Arthropod Genetics Group, The Pirbright Institute, Woking, GU24 0NF, UK
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Philip T Leftwich
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - Luke Alphey
- Arthropod Genetics Group, The Pirbright Institute, Woking, GU24 0NF, UK.
- Biology Department, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, UK.
| | - Valentino M Gantz
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
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14
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Yan S, Ma P, Zuo C, Zhu Y, Ma X, Zhang Z. Genetic Analysis Based on Mitochondrial nad2 Gene Reveals a Recent Population Expansion of the Invasive Mussel, Mytella strigata, in China. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:2038. [PMID: 38002981 PMCID: PMC10671778 DOI: 10.3390/genes14112038] [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: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Mytella strigata is a highly adaptable invasive alien species that has been established in coastal China since 2014. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is an important tool for studying the evolution and population genetics of invasive species. In this study, the mitochondrial genome of M. strigata from China was sequenced by Illumina high-throughput sequencing and characterized with 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs). By assessing the selective pressure of 13 PCGs, the nad2 gene had the fastest evolutionary rate and was finally selected for population genetic analysis. A total of 285 nad2 sequences from seven M. strigata populations in China were analyzed and showed obviously T-rich and C-rich characteristics. According to population genetic diversity analysis, all the seven populations had haplotype (gene) diversity (Hd) ≥ 0.5 and nucleotide diversity (Pi) < 0.005. Haplotype networks showed a "star" distribution. Population historical dynamic analyses showed that Fu's Fs and Tajima's D values of all populations were negative except the Qukou (QK) and Beihai (BH) populations. The Zhangzhou (ZJ) and Xiamen (XM) populations were unimodal while the other populations were multimodal. These results suggested that the population of M. strigata in China may have passed the bottleneck period and is currently in a state of population expansion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaojing Yan
- Laboratory of Marine Organism Taxonomy & Phylogeny, Qingdao Key Laboratory of Marine Biodiversity and Conservation, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; (S.Y.)
| | - Peizhen Ma
- Laboratory of Marine Organism Taxonomy & Phylogeny, Qingdao Key Laboratory of Marine Biodiversity and Conservation, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; (S.Y.)
- State Key Laboratory of Mariculture Biobreeding and Sustainable Goods, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Chenxia Zuo
- Laboratory of Marine Organism Taxonomy & Phylogeny, Qingdao Key Laboratory of Marine Biodiversity and Conservation, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; (S.Y.)
- College of Life Sciences, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266000, China
| | - Yi Zhu
- Laboratory of Marine Organism Taxonomy & Phylogeny, Qingdao Key Laboratory of Marine Biodiversity and Conservation, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; (S.Y.)
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xiaojie Ma
- Laboratory of Marine Organism Taxonomy & Phylogeny, Qingdao Key Laboratory of Marine Biodiversity and Conservation, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; (S.Y.)
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zhen Zhang
- Laboratory of Marine Organism Taxonomy & Phylogeny, Qingdao Key Laboratory of Marine Biodiversity and Conservation, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; (S.Y.)
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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15
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Hernández Elizárraga VH, Ballantyne S, O'Brien LG, Americo JA, Suhr ST, Senut MC, Minerich B, Merkes CM, Edwards TM, Klymus K, Richter CA, Waller DL, Passamaneck YJ, Rebelo MF, Gohl DM. Toward invasive mussel genetic biocontrol: Approaches, challenges, and perspectives. iScience 2023; 26:108027. [PMID: 37860763 PMCID: PMC10583111 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Invasive freshwater mussels, such as the zebra (Dreissena polymorpha), quagga (Dreissena rostriformis bugensis), and golden (Limnoperna fortunei) mussel have spread outside their native ranges throughout many regions of the North American, South American, and European continents in recent decades, damaging infrastructure and the environment. This review describes ongoing efforts by multiple groups to develop genetic biocontrol methods for invasive mussels. First, we provide an overview of genetic biocontrol strategies that have been applied in other invasive or pest species. Next, we summarize physical and chemical methods that are currently in use for invasive mussel control. We then describe the multidisciplinary approaches our groups are employing to develop genetic biocontrol tools for invasive mussels. Finally, we discuss the challenges and limitations of applying genetic biocontrol tools to invasive mussels. Collectively, we aim to openly share information and combine expertise to develop practical tools to enable the management of invasive freshwater mussels.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Scott Ballantyne
- Department of Biology, University of Wisconsin River Falls, River Falls, WI, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Christopher M. Merkes
- U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, La Crosse, WI, USA
| | - Thea M. Edwards
- U.S. Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Katy Klymus
- U.S. Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Catherine A. Richter
- U.S. Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Diane L. Waller
- U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, La Crosse, WI, USA
| | - Yale J. Passamaneck
- Bureau of Reclamation, Technical Service Center, Hydraulic Investigations and Laboratory Services, Ecological Research Laboratory, Denver, CO, USA
| | - Mauro F. Rebelo
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Daryl M. Gohl
- University of Minnesota Genomics Center, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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16
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Lester PJ, O'Sullivan D, Perry GLW. Gene drives for invasive wasp control: Extinction is unlikely, with suppression dependent on dispersal and growth rates. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2023; 33:e2912. [PMID: 37615220 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
Gene drives offer a potentially revolutionary method for pest control over large spatial extents. These genetic modifications spread deleterious variants through a population and have been proposed as methods for pest suppression or even eradication. We examined the influence of local dispersal, long-distance and/or human-mediated dispersal, and variation in population growth on the success of a gene drive for the control of invasive social wasps (Vespula vulgaris). Our simulations incorporated a spatially realistic environment containing variable habitat quality in New Zealand. Pest eradication was not observed, except in extreme and unrealistic scenarios of constant, widespread, and spatially intense releases of genetically modified individuals every year for decades. Instead, the regional persistence of genetically modified and wild-type wasps was predicted. Simulations using spatially homogeneous versus realistic landscapes (incorporating uninhabitable areas and dispersal barriers) showed little difference in overall population dynamics. Overall, little impact on wasp abundance was observed in the first 15 years after introduction. After 25 years, populations were suppressed to levels <95% of starting populations. Populations exhibited "chase dynamics" with population cycles in space, with local extinction occurring in some areas while wasps became abundant in others. Increasing the wasps' local dispersal distance increased the spatial and temporal variability of the occupied area and population suppression. Varying levels of human-associated long-distance dispersal had little effect on population dynamics. Increasing intrinsic population growth rates interacted with local dispersal to cause higher mean populations and substantially higher levels of variation in population suppression and the total amount of landscape occupied. Gene drives appear unlikely to cause a rapid and widespread extinction of this and probably other pests but could offer long-term and cost-effective methods of pest suppression. The predicted level of <95% pest suppression would substantially reduce the predation pressure and competitive interactions of this invasive wasp on native species. However, the predicted long-term persistence of genetically modified pests will influence the ethics and likelihood of using gene drives for pest control, especially given concerns that modified wasps would eventually be transported back to their home range.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip J Lester
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - David O'Sullivan
- School of Geography, Environment and Earth Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - George L W Perry
- School of Environment, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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17
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Wolf S, Collatz J, Enkerli J, Widmer F, Romeis J. Assessing potential hybridization between a hypothetical gene drive-modified Drosophila suzukii and nontarget Drosophila species. RISK ANALYSIS : AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE SOCIETY FOR RISK ANALYSIS 2023; 43:1921-1932. [PMID: 36693350 DOI: 10.1111/risa.14096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Genetically engineered gene drives (geGD) are potentially powerful tools for suppressing or even eradicating populations of pest insects. Before living geGD insects can be released into the environment, they must pass an environmental risk assessment to ensure that their release will not cause unacceptable harm to non-targeted entities of the environment. A key research question concerns the likelihood that nontarget species will acquire the functional GD elements; such acquisition could lead to reduced abundance or loss of those species and to a disruption of the ecosystem services they provide. The main route for gene flow is through hybridization between the geGD insect strain and closely related species that co-occur in the area of release and its expected dispersal. Using the invasive spotted-wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii, as a case study, we provide a generally applicable strategy on how a combination of interspecific hybridization experiments, behavioral observations, and molecular genetic analyses can be used to assess the potential for hybridization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Wolf
- Research Division Agroecology and Environment, Agroscope, Zürich, Switzerland
- Institute for Plant Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jana Collatz
- Research Division Agroecology and Environment, Agroscope, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Jürg Enkerli
- Molecular Ecology, Agroscope, Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | - Jörg Romeis
- Research Division Agroecology and Environment, Agroscope, Zürich, Switzerland
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18
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Zhang X, Du H, Zhao Z, Wu Y, Cao Z, Zhou Y, Sun Y. Risk Assessment Model System for Aquatic Animal Introduction Based on Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2035. [PMID: 37370545 DOI: 10.3390/ani13122035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The spread of invasive species (IS) has the potential to upset ecosystem balances. In extreme cases, this can hinder economical utilization of both aquatic (fisheries) and terrestrial (agricultural) systems. As a result, many countries regard risk assessment of IS as an important process for solving the problem of biological invasion. Yet, some IS are purposefully introduced for what is seen as their potential economic benefits. Thus, conducting IS risk assessments and then formulating policies based on scientific information will allow protocols to be developed that can reduce problems associated with IS incursions, whether occurring purposefully or not. However, the risk assessment methods currently adopted by most countries use qualitative or semiquantitative methodologies. Currently, there is a mismatch between qualitative and quantitative assessments. Moreover, most assessment systems are for terrestrial animals. What is needed is an assessment system for aquatic animals; however, those currently available are relatively rudimentary. To fill this gap, we used the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) to build a risk assessment model system for aquatic IS. Our AHP has four primary indexes, twelve secondary indexes, and sixty tertiary indexes. We used this AHP to conduct quantitative risk assessments on five aquatic animals that are typically introduced in China, which have distinct biological characteristics, specific introduction purposes, and can represent different types of aquatic animals. The assessment results show that the risk grade for Pterygoplichthys pardalis is high; the risk grade for Macrobrachium rosenbergii, Crassostrea gigas, and Trachemys scripta elegans is medium; and the grade risk for Ambystoma mexicanum is low. Risk assessment of the introduction of aquatic animals using our AHP is effective, and it provides support for the introduction and healthy breeding of aquatic animals. Thus, the AHP model can provide a basis for decision-making risk management concerning the introduction of species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuxin Zhang
- Sanya Nanfan Research Institute, Hainan University, Sanya 572022, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Marine Science and Technology, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory for Tropical Hydrobiology and Biotechnology, College of Marine Science, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Hehe Du
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Marine Science and Technology, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory for Tropical Hydrobiology and Biotechnology, College of Marine Science, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Zhouzhou Zhao
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Marine Science and Technology, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory for Tropical Hydrobiology and Biotechnology, College of Marine Science, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Ying Wu
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Marine Science and Technology, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory for Tropical Hydrobiology and Biotechnology, College of Marine Science, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Zhenjie Cao
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Marine Science and Technology, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory for Tropical Hydrobiology and Biotechnology, College of Marine Science, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Yongcan Zhou
- Sanya Nanfan Research Institute, Hainan University, Sanya 572022, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Marine Science and Technology, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory for Tropical Hydrobiology and Biotechnology, College of Marine Science, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Yun Sun
- Sanya Nanfan Research Institute, Hainan University, Sanya 572022, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Marine Science and Technology, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory for Tropical Hydrobiology and Biotechnology, College of Marine Science, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
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19
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Harvey-Samuel T, Feng X, Okamoto EM, Purusothaman DK, Leftwich PT, Alphey L, Gantz VM. CRISPR-based gene drives generate super-Mendelian inheritance in the disease vector Culex quinquefasciatus. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.12.544656. [PMID: 37398284 PMCID: PMC10312623 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.12.544656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
Culex mosquitoes pose a significant public health threat as vectors for a variety of diseases including West Nile virus and lymphatic filariasis, and transmit pathogens threatening livestock, companion animals, and endangered birds. Rampant insecticide resistance makes controlling these mosquitoes challenging and necessitates the development of new control strategies. Gene drive technologies have made significant progress in other mosquito species, although similar advances have been lagging in Culex. Here we test the first CRISPR-based homing gene drive for Culex quinquefasciatus, demonstrating the possibility of using this technology to control Culex mosquitoes. Our results show that the inheritance of two split-gene-drive transgenes, targeting different loci, are biased in the presence of a Cas9-expressing transgene although with modest efficiencies. Our findings extend the list of disease vectors where engineered homing gene drives have been demonstrated to include Culex alongside Anopheles and Aedes, and pave the way for future development of these technologies to control Culex mosquitoes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim Harvey-Samuel
- Arthropod Genetics Group, The Pirbright Institute, Woking, UK, GU24 0NF
| | - Xuechun Feng
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA 92093
| | - Emily M Okamoto
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA 92093
| | - Deepak-Kumar Purusothaman
- Arthropod Genetics Group, The Pirbright Institute, Woking, UK, GU24 0NF
- Present address: MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK G12 8QQ
| | - Philip T Leftwich
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK, NR4 7TJ
| | - Luke Alphey
- Present address: Biology Department, University of York, York, UK, YO10 5DD
| | - Valentino M Gantz
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA 92093
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20
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Takyi EM, Bhattacharyya J, Parshad RD. A Gender-Selective Harvesting Strategy: Weak Allee Effects and a Non-hyperbolic Extinction Boundary. Acta Biotheor 2023; 71:11. [PMID: 36933097 DOI: 10.1007/s10441-023-09462-w] [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: 09/26/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023]
Abstract
Recently a gender-selective harvesting strategy has been proposed for possible control of aquatic invasive species, wherein females of the invasive species are harvested, whilst stocking the males (abbreviated as FHMS strategy) (Lyu et al. in Nat Resour Model 33(2):e12252, 2020). We consider the FHMS strategy with a weak Allee effect, and show that its extinction boundary need not be hyperbolic. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example of a non-hyperbolic extinction boundary in two-compartment mating models structured by sex. The model possesses a rich dynamical structure, with several local co-dimension one bifurcations occurring. We also show the occurrence of a global homoclinic bifurcation, which has applicability for large scale strategic bio-control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric M Takyi
- Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Ursinus College, Collegeville, PA, 19426, USA.
| | - Joydeb Bhattacharyya
- Department of Mathematics, Karimpur Pannadevi College, Nadia, West Bengal, 741152, India
| | - Rana D Parshad
- Department of Mathematics, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 50011, USA
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21
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Chen J, Xu X, Champer J. Assessment of distant-site rescue elements for CRISPR toxin-antidote gene drives. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1138702. [PMID: 36860883 PMCID: PMC9968759 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1138702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Gene drive is a genetic engineering technology that can enable super-mendelian inheritance of specific alleles, allowing them to spread through a population. New gene drive types have increased flexibility, offering options for confined modification or suppression of target populations. Among the most promising are CRISPR toxin-antidote gene drives, which disrupt essential wild-type genes by targeting them with Cas9/gRNA. This results in their removal, increasing the frequency of the drive. All these drives rely on having an effective rescue element, which consists of a recoded version of the target gene. This rescue element can be at the same site as the target gene, maximizing the chance of efficient rescue, or at a distant site, which allows useful options such as easily disrupting another essential gene or increasing confinement. Previously, we developed a homing rescue drive targeting a haplolethal gene and a toxin-antidote drive targeting a haplosufficient gene. These successful drives had functional rescue elements but suboptimal drive efficiency. Here, we attempted to construct toxin-antidote drives targeting these genes with a distant-site configuration from three loci in Drosophila melanogaster. We found that additional gRNAs increased cut rates to nearly 100%. However, all distant-site rescue elements failed for both target genes. Furthermore, one rescue element with a minimally recoded sequence was used as a template for homology-directed repair for the target gene on a different chromosomal arm, resulting in the formation of functional resistance alleles. Together, these results can inform the design of future CRISPR-based toxin-antidote gene drives.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jackson Champer
- Center for Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
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22
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Guzy JC, Falk BG, Smith BJ, Willson JD, Reed RN, Aumen NG, Avery ML, Bartoszek IA, Campbell E, Cherkiss MS, Claunch NM, Currylow AF, Dean T, Dixon J, Engeman R, Funck S, Gibble R, Hengstebeck KC, Humphrey JS, Hunter ME, Josimovich JM, Ketterlin J, Kirkland M, Mazzotti FJ, McCleery R, Miller MA, McCollister M, Parker MR, Pittman SE, Rochford M, Romagosa C, Roybal A, Snow RW, Spencer MM, Waddle JH, Yackel Adams AA, Hart KM. Burmese pythons in Florida: A synthesis of biology, impacts, and management tools. NEOBIOTA 2023. [DOI: 10.3897/neobiota.80.90439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Burmese pythons (Python molurus bivittatus) are native to southeastern Asia, however, there is an established invasive population inhabiting much of southern Florida throughout the Greater Everglades Ecosystem. Pythons have severely impacted native species and ecosystems in Florida and represent one of the most intractable invasive-species management issues across the globe. The difficulty stems from a unique combination of inaccessible habitat and the cryptic and resilient nature of pythons that thrive in the subtropical environment of southern Florida, rendering them extremely challenging to detect. Here we provide a comprehensive review and synthesis of the science relevant to managing invasive Burmese pythons. We describe existing control tools and review challenges to productive research, identifying key knowledge gaps that would improve future research and decision making for python control.
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23
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Tonui WK, Ahuja V, Beech CJ, Connolly JB, Dass B, Glandorf DCM, James S, Muchiri JN, Mugoya CF, Okoree EA, Quemada H, Romeis J. Points to consider in seeking biosafety approval for research, testing, and environmental release of experimental genetically modified biocontrol products during research and development. Transgenic Res 2022; 31:607-623. [PMID: 36194213 PMCID: PMC9531641 DOI: 10.1007/s11248-022-00311-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Novel genetically modified biological control products (referred to as "GM biocontrol products") are being considered to address a range of complex problems in public health, conservation, and agriculture, including preventing the transmission of vector-borne parasitic and viral diseases as well as the spread of invasive plant and animal species. These interventions involve release of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) into the environment, sometimes with intentional dissemination of the modification within the local population of the targeted species, which presents new challenges and opportunities for regulatory review and decision-making. Practices developed for GMOs, primarily applied to date for GM crops may need to be adapted to accommodate different types of organisms, such as insects, and different technologies, such as gene drive. Developers of new GM biocontrol products would benefit from an early understanding of safety data and information that are likely to be required within the regulatory dossier for regulatory evaluation and decision making. Here a generalizable tool drawing from existing GM crop dossier requirements, forms, and relevant experience is proposed to assist researchers and developers organize and plan their research and trialing. This tool requires considering specifics of each investigational product, their intended use, and country specific requirements at various phases of potential product development, from laboratory research through contained field testing and experimental release into the environment. This may also be helpful to risk assessors and regulators in supporting their systematic and rigorous evaluation of new biocontrol products.
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Affiliation(s)
- W K Tonui
- Environmental Health Safety Consultancy Ltd., Office 10D, Sifa Towers, Lenana/ Cotton Avenue Junction, Kilimani, Nairobi, Kenya.
| | - V Ahuja
- Biotech Consortium India Limited, New Delhi, India
| | | | | | - B Dass
- Foundation for the National Institutes of Health, North Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - D C M Glandorf
- GMO Office, National Institute of Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - S James
- Foundation for the National Institutes of Health, North Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - J N Muchiri
- National Biosafety Authority, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - E A Okoree
- National Biosafety Authority, Accra, Ghana
| | - H Quemada
- Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI, USA
| | - J Romeis
- Research Division Agroecology and Environment, Agroscope, Zurich, Switzerland
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24
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Raban R, Gendron WAC, Akbari OS. A perspective on the expansion of the genetic technologies to support the control of neglected vector-borne diseases and conservation. FRONTIERS IN TROPICAL DISEASES 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fitd.2022.999273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetic-based technologies are emerging as promising tools to support vector population control. Vectors of human malaria and dengue have been the main focus of these development efforts, but in recent years these technologies have become more flexible and adaptable and may therefore have more wide-ranging applications. Culex quinquefasciatus, for example, is the primary vector of avian malaria in Hawaii and other tropical islands. Avian malaria has led to the extinction of numerous native bird species and many native bird species continue to be threatened as climate change is expanding the range of this mosquito. Genetic-based technologies would be ideal to support avian malaria control as they would offer alternatives to interventions that are difficult to implement in natural areas, such as larval source reduction, and limit the need for chemical insecticides, which can harm beneficial species in these natural areas. This mosquito is also an important vector of human diseases, such as West Nile and Saint Louis encephalitis viruses, so genetic-based control efforts for this species could also have a direct impact on human health. This commentary will discuss the current state of development and future needs for genetic-based technologies in lesser studied, but important disease vectors, such as C. quinquefasciatus, and make comparisons to technologies available in more studied vectors. While most current genetic control focuses on human disease, we will address the impact that these technologies could have on both disease and conservation focused vector control efforts and what is needed to prepare these technologies for evaluation in the field. The versatility of genetic-based technologies may result in the development of many important tools to control a variety of vectors that impact human, animal, and ecosystem health.
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25
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Feltman NR, Burkness EC, Ebbenga D, Hutchison WD, Smanski MJ. HUGE pipeline to measure temporal genetic variation in Drosophila suzukii populations for genetic biocontrol applications. FRONTIERS IN INSECT SCIENCE 2022; 2:981974. [PMID: 38468784 PMCID: PMC10926429 DOI: 10.3389/finsc.2022.981974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Understanding the fine-scale genome sequence diversity that exists within natural populations is important for developing models of species migration, temporal stability, and range expansion. For invasive species, agricultural pests, and disease vectors, sequence diversity at specific loci in the genome can impact the efficacy of next-generation genetic biocontrol strategies. Here we describe a pipeline for haplotype-resolution genetic variant discovery and quantification from thousands of Spotted Wing Drosophila (Drosophila suzukii, SWD) isolated at two field sites in the North-Central United States (Minnesota) across two seasons. We observed highly similar single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) frequencies at each genomic location at each field site and year. This supports the hypotheses that SWD overwinters in Minnesota, is annually populated by the same source populations or a combination of both theories. Also, the stable genetic structure of SWD populations allows for the rational design of genetic biocontrol technologies for population suppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan R. Feltman
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN, United States
- Biotechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN, United States
| | - Eric C. Burkness
- Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN, United States
| | - Dominique N. Ebbenga
- Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN, United States
| | - William D. Hutchison
- Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN, United States
| | - Michael J. Smanski
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN, United States
- Biotechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN, United States
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26
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Mavreas K, Gossmann TI, Waxman D. Loss and fixation of strongly favoured new variants: Understanding and extending Haldane's result via the Wright-Fisher model. Biosystems 2022; 221:104759. [PMID: 35998748 DOI: 10.1016/j.biosystems.2022.104759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
The implications of Haldane's analysis for the fixation of beneficial alleles lies at the heart of much of 'population genetic thinking' and underlies many approaches that have been tailored to the detection of positive selection. Within the framework of a branching process, Haldane gave an approximation for the probability that fixation ultimately occurs when the selective advantage of a beneficial allele is small (≪1). Here, we make no use of branching processes. Rather, we work solely within a finite-population Wright-Fisher framework. We use this framework to analyse where Haldane's result applies, and extend Haldane's analysis. In particular, we present results for: (i) the domain of applicability of Haldane's analysis; (ii) the probability that loss occurs up to a given time; (iii) the probabilities that loss and fixation ultimately occur; (iv) an analytic approximation associated with the probability of loss and fixation ultimately occurring; (v) quantification of the crossover from weak to strong selection; (vi) determination of the number of invasive alleles that have a significant probability (>0.95) of invading a novel population. We note that the results obtained for (ii), (iii) and (iv) hold for an arbitrary initial number of mutations, and for selection that can be arbitrarily strong. Our results have fundamental implications for population and conservation genetics, and open up new avenues to identify traces of historically beneficial alleles through comparative genomics.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Mavreas
- Centre for Computational Systems Biology, ISTBI, Fudan University, 220 Handan Road, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - T I Gossmann
- Department of Evolutionary, Genetics (Animal Behaviour), Bielefeld University, Morgenbreede 45, D-33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - D Waxman
- Centre for Computational Systems Biology, ISTBI, Fudan University, 220 Handan Road, Shanghai 200433, China.
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27
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Gantz VM, Bier E. Active genetics comes alive: Exploring the broad applications of CRISPR-based selfish genetic elements (or gene-drives): Exploring the broad applications of CRISPR-based selfish genetic elements (or gene-drives). Bioessays 2022; 44:e2100279. [PMID: 35686327 PMCID: PMC9397133 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202100279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)-based "active genetic" elements developed in 2015 bypassed the fundamental rules of traditional genetics. Inherited in a super-Mendelian fashion, such selfish genetic entities offered a variety of potential applications including: gene-drives to disseminate gene cassettes carrying desired traits throughout insect populations to control disease vectors or pest species, allelic drives biasing inheritance of preferred allelic variants, neutralizing genetic elements to delete and replace or to halt the spread of gene-drives, split-drives with the core constituent Cas9 endonuclease and guide RNA (gRNA) components inserted at separate genomic locations to accelerate assembly of complex arrays of genetic traits or to gain genetic entry into novel organisms (vertebrates, plants, bacteria), and interhomolog based copying systems in somatic cells to develop tools for treating inherited or infectious diseases. Here, we summarize the substantial advances that have been made on all of these fronts and look forward to the next phase of this rapidly expanding and impactful field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentino M Gantz
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Ethan Bier
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, La Jolla, California, USA
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28
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Teal CN, Coykendall DK, Campbell MR, Eardley DL, Delomas TA, Shira JT, Schill DJ, Bonar SA, Culver M. Sex-specific markers undetected in green sunfish Lepomis cyanellus using restriction-site associated DNA sequencing. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2022; 100:1528-1540. [PMID: 35439326 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.15063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
We used restriction-site associated DNA sequencing for SNP discovery and genotyping of known-sex green sunfish Lepomis cyanellus DNA samples to search for sex-diagnostic single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and restriction-site associated sequences present in one sex and absent in the other. The bioinformatic analyses discovered candidate SNPs and sex-specific restriction-site associated sequences that fit patterns of male or female heterogametic sex determination systems. However, when primers were developed and tested, no candidates reliably identified phenotypic sex. The top performing SNP candidate (ZW_218) correlated with phenotypic sex 63.0% of the time and the presence-absence loci universally amplified in both sexes. We recommend further investigations that interrogate a larger fraction of the L. cyanellus genome. Additionally, studies on the effect of temperature and rearing density on sex determination, as well as breeding of sex-reversed individuals, could provide more insights into the sex determination system of L. cyanellus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chad N Teal
- Arizona Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, School of Natural Resources and the Environment, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - D Katharine Coykendall
- Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission, Eagle Fish Genetics Lab, Eagle, Idaho, USA
- Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Eagle Fish Genetics Lab, Eagle, Idaho, USA
| | - Matthew R Campbell
- Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Eagle Fish Genetics Lab, Eagle, Idaho, USA
| | - Daniel L Eardley
- Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission, Eagle Fish Genetics Lab, Eagle, Idaho, USA
- Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Eagle Fish Genetics Lab, Eagle, Idaho, USA
| | - Thomas A Delomas
- Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission, Eagle Fish Genetics Lab, Eagle, Idaho, USA
- Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Eagle Fish Genetics Lab, Eagle, Idaho, USA
| | - James T Shira
- University of Arizona Genetics Core, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | | | - Scott A Bonar
- US Geological Survey, Arizona Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, School of Natural Resources and the Environment, University of Arizona, ENR2, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Melanie Culver
- US Geological Survey, Arizona Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, School of Natural Resources and the Environment, University of Arizona, ENR2, Tucson, Arizona, USA
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29
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Bishop AL, López Del Amo V, Okamoto EM, Bodai Z, Komor AC, Gantz VM. Double-tap gene drive uses iterative genome targeting to help overcome resistance alleles. Nat Commun 2022; 13:2595. [PMID: 35534475 PMCID: PMC9085836 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-29868-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Homing CRISPR gene drives could aid in curbing the spread of vector-borne diseases and controlling crop pest and invasive species populations due to an inheritance rate that surpasses Mendelian laws. However, this technology suffers from resistance alleles formed when the drive-induced DNA break is repaired by error-prone pathways, which creates mutations that disrupt the gRNA recognition sequence and prevent further gene-drive propagation. Here, we attempt to counteract this by encoding additional gRNAs that target the most commonly generated resistance alleles into the gene drive, allowing a second opportunity at gene-drive conversion. Our presented "double-tap" strategy improved drive efficiency by recycling resistance alleles. The double-tap drive also efficiently spreads in caged populations, outperforming the control drive. Overall, this double-tap strategy can be readily implemented in any CRISPR-based gene drive to improve performance, and similar approaches could benefit other systems suffering from low HDR frequencies, such as mammalian cells or mouse germline transformations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alena L Bishop
- Division of Biological Sciences, Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Víctor López Del Amo
- Division of Biological Sciences, Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Emily M Okamoto
- Division of Biological Sciences, Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Zsolt Bodai
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Alexis C Komor
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Valentino M Gantz
- Division of Biological Sciences, Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
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30
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Das D, Singha DL, Paswan RR, Chowdhury N, Sharma M, Reddy PS, Chikkaputtaiah C. Recent advancements in CRISPR/Cas technology for accelerated crop improvement. PLANTA 2022; 255:109. [PMID: 35460444 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-022-03894-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Precise genome engineering approaches could be perceived as a second paradigm for targeted trait improvement in crop plants, with the potential to overcome the constraints imposed by conventional CRISPR/Cas technology. The likelihood of reduced agricultural production due to highly turbulent climatic conditions increases as the global population expands. The second paradigm of stress-resilient crops with enhanced tolerance and increased productivity against various stresses is paramount to support global production and consumption equilibrium. Although traditional breeding approaches have substantially increased crop production and yield, effective strategies are anticipated to restore crop productivity even further in meeting the world's increasing food demands. CRISPR/Cas, which originated in prokaryotes, has surfaced as a coveted genome editing tool in recent decades, reshaping plant molecular biology in unprecedented ways and paving the way for engineering stress-tolerant crops. CRISPR/Cas is distinguished by its efficiency, high target specificity, and modularity, enables precise genetic modification of crop plants, allowing for the creation of allelic variations in the germplasm and the development of novel and more productive agricultural practices. Additionally, a slew of advanced biotechnologies premised on the CRISPR/Cas methodologies have augmented fundamental research and plant synthetic biology toolkits. Here, we describe gene editing tools, including CRISPR/Cas and its imitative tools, such as base and prime editing, multiplex genome editing, chromosome engineering followed by their implications in crop genetic improvement. Further, we comprehensively discuss the latest developments of CRISPR/Cas technology including CRISPR-mediated gene drive, tissue-specific genome editing, dCas9 mediated epigenetic modification and programmed self-elimination of transgenes in plants. Finally, we highlight the applicability and scope of advanced CRISPR-based techniques in crop genetic improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debajit Das
- Biological Sciences and Technology Division, CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology (CSIR-NEIST), Jorhat, Assam, 785006, India
| | - Dhanawantari L Singha
- Biological Sciences and Technology Division, CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology (CSIR-NEIST), Jorhat, Assam, 785006, India
| | - Ricky Raj Paswan
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam, 785013, India
| | - Naimisha Chowdhury
- Biological Sciences and Technology Division, CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology (CSIR-NEIST), Jorhat, Assam, 785006, India
| | - Monica Sharma
- Biological Sciences and Technology Division, CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology (CSIR-NEIST), Jorhat, Assam, 785006, India
| | - Palakolanu Sudhakar Reddy
- International Crop Research Institute for the Semi Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Patancheru, Hyderabad, 502 324, India
| | - Channakeshavaiah Chikkaputtaiah
- Biological Sciences and Technology Division, CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology (CSIR-NEIST), Jorhat, Assam, 785006, India.
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201 002, India.
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31
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Bernos TA, Jeffries KM, Mandrak NE. Aquatic invasive species specialists’ perceptions on the importance of genetic tools and concepts to inform management. Biol Invasions 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-022-02758-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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32
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Guissou C, Quinlan MM, Sanou R, Ouédraogo RK, Namountougou M, Diabaté A. Preparing an Insectary in Burkina Faso to Support Research in Genetic Technologies for Malaria Control. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2022; 22:18-28. [PMID: 34995157 PMCID: PMC8787693 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2021.0041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé (IRSS) of Burkina Faso, West Africa, was the first African institution to import transgenic mosquitoes for research purposes. A shift from the culture of mosquito research to regulated biotechnology research and considerable management capacity is needed to set up and run the first insectary for transgenic insects in a country that applied and adapted the existing biosafety framework, first developed for genetically modified (GM) crops, to this new area of research. The additional demands arise from the separate regulatory framework for biotechnology, referencing the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, and the novelty of the research strain, making public understanding and acceptance early in the research pathway important. The IRSS team carried out extensive preparations following recommendations for containment of GM arthropods and invested efforts in local community engagement and training with scientific colleagues throughout the region. Record keeping beyond routine practice was established to maintain evidence related to regulatory requirements and risk assumptions. The National Biosafety Agency of Burkina Faso, Agence Nationale de Biosécurité (ANB), granted the permits for import of the self-limiting transgenic mosquito strain, which took place in November 2016, and for conducting studies in the IRSS facility in Bobo-Dioulasso. Compliance with permit terms and conditions of the permits and study protocols continued until the conclusion of studies, when the transgenic colonies were terminated. All this required close coordination between management and the insectary teams, as well as others. This article outlines the experiences of the IRSS to support others undertaking such studies. The IRSS is contributing to the ongoing development of genetic technologies for malaria control, as a partner of Target Malaria. The ultimate objective of the innovation is to reduce malaria transmission by using GM mosquitoes of the same species released to reduce the disease-vectoring native populations of Anopheles gambiae s.l.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles Guissou
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé-Direction Régionale de l''Ouest (IRSS-DRO), Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - M Megan Quinlan
- Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London, United Kingdom
| | - Roger Sanou
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé-Direction Régionale de l''Ouest (IRSS-DRO), Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - Robert K Ouédraogo
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé-Direction Régionale de l''Ouest (IRSS-DRO), Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - Moussa Namountougou
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé-Direction Régionale de l''Ouest (IRSS-DRO), Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - Abdoulaye Diabaté
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé-Direction Régionale de l''Ouest (IRSS-DRO), Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
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Abstract
Gene drives are selfish genetic elements that are transmitted to progeny at super-Mendelian (>50%) frequencies. Recently developed CRISPR-Cas9-based gene-drive systems are highly efficient in laboratory settings, offering the potential to reduce the prevalence of vector-borne diseases, crop pests and non-native invasive species. However, concerns have been raised regarding the potential unintended impacts of gene-drive systems. This Review summarizes the phenomenal progress in this field, focusing on optimal design features for full-drive elements (drives with linked Cas9 and guide RNA components) that either suppress target mosquito populations or modify them to prevent pathogen transmission, allelic drives for updating genetic elements, mitigating strategies including trans-complementing split-drives and genetic neutralizing elements, and the adaptation of drive technology to other organisms. These scientific advances, combined with ethical and social considerations, will facilitate the transparent and responsible advancement of these technologies towards field implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ethan Bier
- Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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34
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Goldsmith CL, Kang KE, Heitman E, Adelman ZN, Buchman LW, Kerns D, Liu X, Medina RF, Vedlitz A. Stakeholder Views on Engagement, Trust, Performance, and Risk Considerations About Use of Gene Drive Technology in Agricultural Pest Management. Health Secur 2021; 20:6-15. [PMID: 34981962 DOI: 10.1089/hs.2021.0101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene drive is an experimental technique that may make it possible to alter the genetic traits of whole populations of a species through the genetic modification of a relatively small number of individuals. This technology is sufficiently new that literature on the understanding and views of stakeholders and the public regarding the use of gene drive organisms in agricultural pest management is just beginning to emerge. Our team conducted a 2-pronged engagement process with Texas gene drive agricultural stakeholders to ascertain their values, beliefs, and preferences about the efficacy, safety, and risk management considerations of gene drive technology as a potential tool for agricultural pest management. We found that a majority of stakeholders support gene drive research and its potential use for managing agricultural pests. Our work with stakeholders confirms both their willingness to be engaged and the importance they place on stakeholder and public engagement regarding these issues, as well as the need to address these issues before use of gene drive as a pest management mechanism will be accepted and trusted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carol L Goldsmith
- Carol L. Goldsmith, MPA, is Assistant Director and Research Specialist II, Institute for Science, Technology, and Public Policy (ISTPP); Ki Eun Kang, PhD, is a Postdoctoral Research Associate, ISTPP; Zach N. Adelman, PhD, is a Professor, Department of Entomology, Texas A&M AgriLife Research; Leah W. Buchman is a Predoctoral Research Associate, ISTPP, and a Doctoral Candidate, Department of Entomology; David Kerns, PhD, is a Professor, Extension Specialist and Statewide Integrated Pest Management Coordinator, Department of Entomology, Texas A&M AgriLife Research; Xinsheng Liu, PhD, is a Senior Research Scholar and Research Scientist, ISTPP; Raul F. Medina, PhD, is a Professor, Department of Entomology, Texas A&M AgriLife Research; and Arnold Vedlitz, PhD, is Director and Distinguished Research Scholar, ISTPP, and a Professor, Department of Public Service and Administration; all at Texas A&M University, College Station, TX. Elizabeth Heitman, PhD, is a Professor, Program in Ethics in Science and Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
| | - Ki Eun Kang
- Carol L. Goldsmith, MPA, is Assistant Director and Research Specialist II, Institute for Science, Technology, and Public Policy (ISTPP); Ki Eun Kang, PhD, is a Postdoctoral Research Associate, ISTPP; Zach N. Adelman, PhD, is a Professor, Department of Entomology, Texas A&M AgriLife Research; Leah W. Buchman is a Predoctoral Research Associate, ISTPP, and a Doctoral Candidate, Department of Entomology; David Kerns, PhD, is a Professor, Extension Specialist and Statewide Integrated Pest Management Coordinator, Department of Entomology, Texas A&M AgriLife Research; Xinsheng Liu, PhD, is a Senior Research Scholar and Research Scientist, ISTPP; Raul F. Medina, PhD, is a Professor, Department of Entomology, Texas A&M AgriLife Research; and Arnold Vedlitz, PhD, is Director and Distinguished Research Scholar, ISTPP, and a Professor, Department of Public Service and Administration; all at Texas A&M University, College Station, TX. Elizabeth Heitman, PhD, is a Professor, Program in Ethics in Science and Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
| | - Elizabeth Heitman
- Carol L. Goldsmith, MPA, is Assistant Director and Research Specialist II, Institute for Science, Technology, and Public Policy (ISTPP); Ki Eun Kang, PhD, is a Postdoctoral Research Associate, ISTPP; Zach N. Adelman, PhD, is a Professor, Department of Entomology, Texas A&M AgriLife Research; Leah W. Buchman is a Predoctoral Research Associate, ISTPP, and a Doctoral Candidate, Department of Entomology; David Kerns, PhD, is a Professor, Extension Specialist and Statewide Integrated Pest Management Coordinator, Department of Entomology, Texas A&M AgriLife Research; Xinsheng Liu, PhD, is a Senior Research Scholar and Research Scientist, ISTPP; Raul F. Medina, PhD, is a Professor, Department of Entomology, Texas A&M AgriLife Research; and Arnold Vedlitz, PhD, is Director and Distinguished Research Scholar, ISTPP, and a Professor, Department of Public Service and Administration; all at Texas A&M University, College Station, TX. Elizabeth Heitman, PhD, is a Professor, Program in Ethics in Science and Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
| | - Zach N Adelman
- Carol L. Goldsmith, MPA, is Assistant Director and Research Specialist II, Institute for Science, Technology, and Public Policy (ISTPP); Ki Eun Kang, PhD, is a Postdoctoral Research Associate, ISTPP; Zach N. Adelman, PhD, is a Professor, Department of Entomology, Texas A&M AgriLife Research; Leah W. Buchman is a Predoctoral Research Associate, ISTPP, and a Doctoral Candidate, Department of Entomology; David Kerns, PhD, is a Professor, Extension Specialist and Statewide Integrated Pest Management Coordinator, Department of Entomology, Texas A&M AgriLife Research; Xinsheng Liu, PhD, is a Senior Research Scholar and Research Scientist, ISTPP; Raul F. Medina, PhD, is a Professor, Department of Entomology, Texas A&M AgriLife Research; and Arnold Vedlitz, PhD, is Director and Distinguished Research Scholar, ISTPP, and a Professor, Department of Public Service and Administration; all at Texas A&M University, College Station, TX. Elizabeth Heitman, PhD, is a Professor, Program in Ethics in Science and Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
| | - Leah W Buchman
- Carol L. Goldsmith, MPA, is Assistant Director and Research Specialist II, Institute for Science, Technology, and Public Policy (ISTPP); Ki Eun Kang, PhD, is a Postdoctoral Research Associate, ISTPP; Zach N. Adelman, PhD, is a Professor, Department of Entomology, Texas A&M AgriLife Research; Leah W. Buchman is a Predoctoral Research Associate, ISTPP, and a Doctoral Candidate, Department of Entomology; David Kerns, PhD, is a Professor, Extension Specialist and Statewide Integrated Pest Management Coordinator, Department of Entomology, Texas A&M AgriLife Research; Xinsheng Liu, PhD, is a Senior Research Scholar and Research Scientist, ISTPP; Raul F. Medina, PhD, is a Professor, Department of Entomology, Texas A&M AgriLife Research; and Arnold Vedlitz, PhD, is Director and Distinguished Research Scholar, ISTPP, and a Professor, Department of Public Service and Administration; all at Texas A&M University, College Station, TX. Elizabeth Heitman, PhD, is a Professor, Program in Ethics in Science and Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
| | - David Kerns
- Carol L. Goldsmith, MPA, is Assistant Director and Research Specialist II, Institute for Science, Technology, and Public Policy (ISTPP); Ki Eun Kang, PhD, is a Postdoctoral Research Associate, ISTPP; Zach N. Adelman, PhD, is a Professor, Department of Entomology, Texas A&M AgriLife Research; Leah W. Buchman is a Predoctoral Research Associate, ISTPP, and a Doctoral Candidate, Department of Entomology; David Kerns, PhD, is a Professor, Extension Specialist and Statewide Integrated Pest Management Coordinator, Department of Entomology, Texas A&M AgriLife Research; Xinsheng Liu, PhD, is a Senior Research Scholar and Research Scientist, ISTPP; Raul F. Medina, PhD, is a Professor, Department of Entomology, Texas A&M AgriLife Research; and Arnold Vedlitz, PhD, is Director and Distinguished Research Scholar, ISTPP, and a Professor, Department of Public Service and Administration; all at Texas A&M University, College Station, TX. Elizabeth Heitman, PhD, is a Professor, Program in Ethics in Science and Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
| | - Xinsheng Liu
- Carol L. Goldsmith, MPA, is Assistant Director and Research Specialist II, Institute for Science, Technology, and Public Policy (ISTPP); Ki Eun Kang, PhD, is a Postdoctoral Research Associate, ISTPP; Zach N. Adelman, PhD, is a Professor, Department of Entomology, Texas A&M AgriLife Research; Leah W. Buchman is a Predoctoral Research Associate, ISTPP, and a Doctoral Candidate, Department of Entomology; David Kerns, PhD, is a Professor, Extension Specialist and Statewide Integrated Pest Management Coordinator, Department of Entomology, Texas A&M AgriLife Research; Xinsheng Liu, PhD, is a Senior Research Scholar and Research Scientist, ISTPP; Raul F. Medina, PhD, is a Professor, Department of Entomology, Texas A&M AgriLife Research; and Arnold Vedlitz, PhD, is Director and Distinguished Research Scholar, ISTPP, and a Professor, Department of Public Service and Administration; all at Texas A&M University, College Station, TX. Elizabeth Heitman, PhD, is a Professor, Program in Ethics in Science and Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
| | - Raul F Medina
- Carol L. Goldsmith, MPA, is Assistant Director and Research Specialist II, Institute for Science, Technology, and Public Policy (ISTPP); Ki Eun Kang, PhD, is a Postdoctoral Research Associate, ISTPP; Zach N. Adelman, PhD, is a Professor, Department of Entomology, Texas A&M AgriLife Research; Leah W. Buchman is a Predoctoral Research Associate, ISTPP, and a Doctoral Candidate, Department of Entomology; David Kerns, PhD, is a Professor, Extension Specialist and Statewide Integrated Pest Management Coordinator, Department of Entomology, Texas A&M AgriLife Research; Xinsheng Liu, PhD, is a Senior Research Scholar and Research Scientist, ISTPP; Raul F. Medina, PhD, is a Professor, Department of Entomology, Texas A&M AgriLife Research; and Arnold Vedlitz, PhD, is Director and Distinguished Research Scholar, ISTPP, and a Professor, Department of Public Service and Administration; all at Texas A&M University, College Station, TX. Elizabeth Heitman, PhD, is a Professor, Program in Ethics in Science and Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
| | - Arnold Vedlitz
- Carol L. Goldsmith, MPA, is Assistant Director and Research Specialist II, Institute for Science, Technology, and Public Policy (ISTPP); Ki Eun Kang, PhD, is a Postdoctoral Research Associate, ISTPP; Zach N. Adelman, PhD, is a Professor, Department of Entomology, Texas A&M AgriLife Research; Leah W. Buchman is a Predoctoral Research Associate, ISTPP, and a Doctoral Candidate, Department of Entomology; David Kerns, PhD, is a Professor, Extension Specialist and Statewide Integrated Pest Management Coordinator, Department of Entomology, Texas A&M AgriLife Research; Xinsheng Liu, PhD, is a Senior Research Scholar and Research Scientist, ISTPP; Raul F. Medina, PhD, is a Professor, Department of Entomology, Texas A&M AgriLife Research; and Arnold Vedlitz, PhD, is Director and Distinguished Research Scholar, ISTPP, and a Professor, Department of Public Service and Administration; all at Texas A&M University, College Station, TX. Elizabeth Heitman, PhD, is a Professor, Program in Ethics in Science and Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
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New developments in the field of genomic technologies and their relevance to conservation management. CONSERV GENET 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10592-021-01415-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
AbstractRecent technological advances in the field of genomics offer conservation managers and practitioners new tools to explore for conservation applications. Many of these tools are well developed and used by other life science fields, while others are still in development. Considering these technological possibilities, choosing the right tool(s) from the toolbox is crucial and can pose a challenging task. With this in mind, we strive to inspire, inform and illuminate managers and practitioners on how conservation efforts can benefit from the current genomic and biotechnological revolution. With inspirational case studies we show how new technologies can help resolve some of the main conservation challenges, while also informing how implementable the different technologies are. We here focus specifically on small population management, highlight the potential for genetic rescue, and discuss the opportunities in the field of gene editing to help with adaptation to changing environments. In addition, we delineate potential applications of gene drives for controlling invasive species. We illuminate that the genomic toolbox offers added benefit to conservation efforts, but also comes with limitations for the use of these novel emerging techniques.
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Ulman A, Yildiz T, Demirel N, Canak O, Yemişken E, Pauly D. The biology and ecology of the invasive silver-cheeked toadfish (Lagocephalus sceleratus), with emphasis on the Eastern Mediterranean. NEOBIOTA 2021. [DOI: 10.3897/neobiota.68.71767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Invasive species pose threats to either human health or inflict ecological and/or economic damage. The silver-cheeked toadfish (Lagocephalus sceleratus), a Lessepsian species, is one of the most harmful species in the Mediterranean Sea, because of its potent neurotoxin, impacts on marine biodiversity, and the increased costs and labor they inflict on fishers. Since the catch and consumption of this pufferfish is prohibited by almost all countries bordering the Mediterranean, they have now expanded into the entire Mediterranean and Black Sea. We performed a comprehensive study of L. sceleratus covering ecological aspects, growth, reproduction, diet and trophic level based on samples from southwestern coasts of Turkey. The estimated growth parameters were L∞ = 88.7 cm, K = 0.27 year-1, C = 0.6 and WP = 0.1. Their sex-ratio was M/F = 1:0.69. Lagocephalus sceleratus appears to be a batch spawner with discontinuous oocyte recruitment and has different spawning seasons in the Eastern Mediterranean which seem to be based on temperature cues which get shorter in duration as one moves north from the Suez. We also report their first positive ecological trait, that they are controlling some other invasive species through their diets, such as lionfish, Red Sea goatfish, rabbitfish and longspine sea urchins, in addition to controlling themselves through cannibalism, which appears to be density-dependent. They are indeed a top predator in the region with a trophic level of 4.1. We suggest that targeted fishing using improved gear-types to reduce fishing gear damages are initiated, and that finding commercial markets for pufferfish could help to naturally fund ongoing control efforts.
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Fournier D, Aron S. Hybridization and invasiveness in social insects - The good, the bad and the hybrid. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2021; 46:1-9. [PMID: 33484875 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2020.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Revised: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Hybridization may help drive biological invasions by reducing Allee effects, increasing genetic variation, and generating novel adaptive genotypes/phenotypes. Social insects (ants, bees, wasps, and termites) are among the world's worst invasive species. In this review, we study the relationship between hybridization and invasiveness in social insects. We examine three types of hybridization based on the reproductive characteristics of first-generation hybrids. We discuss several examples of the association between hybridization and invasiveness, which are predominantly found in bees and termites. However, hybridization also occurs in several non-invasive species, and highly invasive species are not consistently associated with hybridization events, indicating that hybridization is not a main driver of invasiveness in social insects. We discuss why hybridization is not more commonly seen in invasive social insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denis Fournier
- Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, Université libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Serge Aron
- Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, Université libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.
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Jussila J, Edsman L, Maguire I, Diéguez-Uribeondo J, Theissinger K. Money Kills Native Ecosystems: European Crayfish as an Example. Front Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2021.648495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Native European crayfish conservation was triggered by invasion of crayfish plague disease agent, Aphanomyces astaci, starting 1860s in Northern Italy. Resulting crayfish plague epidemics quickly spread over Continental Europe, then to Finland, Sweden and finally, after running amok around Europe, A. astaci was discovered also in Iberian Peninsula, Norway, Ireland, and United Kingdom in 1970s and 1980s. By that time significant proportion of native crayfish stocks had been lost, and while crayfish plague epidemics were still recorded, also industrialization and waterways construction were causing damage to remaining native crayfish stocks. While alien crayfish introductions, at least Faxonius limosus, already gave rise to first wave of crayfish plague epidemics in late 19th century, later in 1960s it was decided that introductions of alien Pacifastacus leniusculus should be initiated to replace native European crayfish populations. Decisions were based on presumed advantages for fishery, suitable habitat requirements and supposed immunity against A. astaci. Furthermore, conservation of native European crayfish species was sidelined and focus shifted toward alien crayfish stocking routine and consumption. Alien crayfish species introductions resulted in repeated waves of crayfish plague epidemics among remaining native crayfish stocks. It was soon discovered that alien crayfish of North American origin were, as suspected, permanent reservoirs for A. astaci, that some of those alien species were losing their resistance against selected strains of A. astaci and struggled in European aquatic ecosystems. In this article, we introduce numerous motives behind grand mistake of introducing alien crayfish species to Europe and then promoting their stocks instead of focusing on conservation of native crayfish species. We outline how false economical, biological and ecologic assumptions were used to justify a hasty introduction of alien crayfish, which has further devastated native crayfish and also permanently changed European aquatic ecosystems, both with disastrous consequences. Lesson to be learnt is that science-based warnings about alien species damage to native ecosystems and native crayfish must be taken with utmost caution. Protection of native European crayfish should be core issue, not commercial activities. Finally, we summarize main threats and actions needed to protect remaining native freshwater crayfish fauna in Europe.
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Oh KP, Shiels AB, Shiels L, Blondel DV, Campbell KJ, Saah JR, Lloyd AL, Thomas PQ, Gould F, Abdo Z, Godwin JR, Piaggio AJ. Population genomics of invasive rodents on islands: Genetic consequences of colonization and prospects for localized synthetic gene drive. Evol Appl 2021; 14:1421-1435. [PMID: 34025776 PMCID: PMC8127709 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduced rodent populations pose significant threats worldwide, with particularly severe impacts on islands. Advancements in genome editing have motivated interest in synthetic gene drives that could potentially provide efficient and localized suppression of invasive rodent populations. Application of such technologies will require rigorous population genomic surveys to evaluate population connectivity, taxonomic identification, and to inform design of gene drive localization mechanisms. One proposed approach leverages the predicted shifts in genetic variation that accompany island colonization, wherein founder effects, genetic drift, and island-specific selection are expected to result in locally fixed alleles (LFA) that are variable in neighboring nontarget populations. Engineering of guide RNAs that target LFA may thus yield gene drives that spread within invasive island populations, but would have limited impacts on nontarget populations in the event of an escape. Here we used pooled whole-genome sequencing of invasive mouse (Mus musculus) populations on four islands along with paired putative source populations to test genetic predictions of island colonization and characterize locally fixed Cas9 genomic targets. Patterns of variation across the genome reflected marked reductions in allelic diversity in island populations and moderate to high degrees of differentiation from nearby source populations despite relatively recent colonization. Locally fixed Cas9 sites in female fertility genes were observed in all island populations, including a small number with multiplexing potential. In practice, rigorous sampling of presumptive LFA will be essential to fully assess risk of resistance alleles. These results should serve to guide development of improved, spatially limited gene drive design in future applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin P. Oh
- National Wildlife Research CenterUSDA APHIS Wildlife ServicesFort CollinsColoradoUSA
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and PathologyColorado State UniversityFort CollinsColoradoUSA
| | - Aaron B. Shiels
- National Wildlife Research CenterUSDA APHIS Wildlife ServicesFort CollinsColoradoUSA
| | - Laura Shiels
- National Wildlife Research CenterUSDA APHIS Wildlife ServicesFort CollinsColoradoUSA
| | - Dimitri V. Blondel
- Department of Biological SciencesNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Karl J. Campbell
- Island ConservationPuerto AyoraEcuador
- School of Agriculture and Food SciencesThe University of QueenslandGattonQueenslandAustralia
| | - J. Royden Saah
- Island ConservationPuerto AyoraEcuador
- Genetic Engineering and Society CenterNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Alun L. Lloyd
- Genetic Engineering and Society CenterNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNorth CarolinaUSA
- Biomathematics Graduate Program and Department of MathematicsNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Paul Q. Thomas
- The Robinson Research Institute and School of MedicineThe University of AdelaideAdelaideSouth AustraliaAustralia
| | - Fred Gould
- Genetic Engineering and Society CenterNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNorth CarolinaUSA
- Department of Entomology and Plant PathologyNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Zaid Abdo
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and PathologyColorado State UniversityFort CollinsColoradoUSA
| | - John R. Godwin
- Department of Biological SciencesNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNorth CarolinaUSA
- Genetic Engineering and Society CenterNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Antoinette J. Piaggio
- National Wildlife Research CenterUSDA APHIS Wildlife ServicesFort CollinsColoradoUSA
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Burgiel SW, Baumgartner B, Brister E, Fisher J, Gordon DR, Novak B, Palmer MJ, Seddon PJ, Weber M. Exploring the intersections of governance, constituencies, and risk in genetic interventions. CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Evelyn Brister
- Philosophy Department Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester New York USA
| | - Joshua Fisher
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service†, Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office Honolulu Hawaii USA
| | - Doria R. Gordon
- Environmental Defense Fund Washington District of Columbia USA
| | - Ben Novak
- Revive & Restore Sausalito California USA
| | - Megan J. Palmer
- Department of Bioengineering Stanford University Stanford California USA
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41
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New Plant Breeding Technologies: An Assessment of the Political Economy of the Regulatory Environment and Implications for Sustainability. SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su13073687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
This perspective discusses the impact of political economy on the regulation of modern biotechnology. Modern biotechnology has contributed to sustainable development, but its potential has been underexplored and underutilized. We highlight the importance of the impacts of regulations for investments in modern biotechnology and argue that improvements are possible via international harmonization of approval processes. This development is urgently needed for improving sustainable development. Policy makers in the European Union (EU) in particular are challenged to rethink their approach to regulating modern biotechnology as their decisions have far ranging consequences beyond the boundaries of the EU and they have the power to influence international policies.
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Willis K, Burt A. Double drives and private alleles for localised population genetic control. PLoS Genet 2021; 17:e1009333. [PMID: 33755671 PMCID: PMC8018619 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Synthetic gene drive constructs could, in principle, provide the basis for highly efficient interventions to control disease vectors and other pest species. This efficiency derives in part from leveraging natural processes of dispersal and gene flow to spread the construct and its impacts from one population to another. However, sometimes (for example, with invasive species) only specific populations are in need of control, and impacts on non-target populations would be undesirable. Many gene drive designs use nucleases that recognise and cleave specific genomic sequences, and one way to restrict their spread would be to exploit sequence differences between target and non-target populations. In this paper we propose and model a series of low threshold double drive designs for population suppression, each consisting of two constructs, one imposing a reproductive load on the population and the other inserted into a differentiated locus and controlling the drive of the first. Simple deterministic, discrete-generation computer simulations are used to assess the alternative designs. We find that the simplest double drive designs are significantly more robust to pre-existing cleavage resistance at the differentiated locus than single drive designs, and that more complex designs incorporating sex ratio distortion can be more efficient still, even allowing for successful control when the differentiated locus is neutral and there is up to 50% pre-existing resistance in the target population. Similar designs can also be used for population replacement, with similar benefits. A population genomic analysis of CRISPR PAM sites in island and mainland populations of the malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae indicates that the differentiation needed for our methods to work can exist in nature. Double drives should be considered when efficient but localised population genetic control is needed and there is some genetic differentiation between target and non-target populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie Willis
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Silwood Park, Ascot, United Kingdom
| | - Austin Burt
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Silwood Park, Ascot, United Kingdom
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43
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Naegeli H, Bresson J, Dalmay T, Dewhurst IC, Epstein MM, Guerche P, Hejatko J, Moreno FJ, Mullins E, Nogué F, Rostoks N, Sánchez Serrano JJ, Savoini G, Veromann E, Veronesi F, Bonsall MB, Mumford J, Wimmer EA, Devos Y, Paraskevopoulos K, Firbank LG. Adequacy and sufficiency evaluation of existing EFSA guidelines for the molecular characterisation, environmental risk assessment and post-market environmental monitoring of genetically modified insects containing engineered gene drives. EFSA J 2020; 18:e06297. [PMID: 33209154 PMCID: PMC7658669 DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2020.6297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Advances in molecular and synthetic biology are enabling the engineering of gene drives in insects for disease vector/pest control. Engineered gene drives (that bias their own inheritance) can be designed either to suppress interbreeding target populations or modify them with a new genotype. Depending on the engineered gene drive system, theoretically, a genetic modification of interest could spread through target populations and persist indefinitely, or be restricted in its spread or persistence. While research on engineered gene drives and their applications in insects is advancing at a fast pace, it will take several years for technological developments to move to practical applications for deliberate release into the environment. Some gene drive modified insects (GDMIs) have been tested experimentally in the laboratory, but none has been assessed in small-scale confined field trials or in open release trials as yet. There is concern that the deliberate release of GDMIs in the environment may have possible irreversible and unintended consequences. As a proactive measure, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has been requested by the European Commission to review whether its previously published guidelines for the risk assessment of genetically modified animals (EFSA, 2012 and 2013), including insects (GMIs), are adequate and sufficient for GDMIs, primarily disease vectors, agricultural pests and invasive species, for deliberate release into the environment. Under this mandate, EFSA was not requested to develop risk assessment guidelines for GDMIs. In this Scientific Opinion, the Panel on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) concludes that EFSA's guidelines are adequate, but insufficient for the molecular characterisation (MC), environmental risk assessment (ERA) and post-market environmental monitoring (PMEM) of GDMIs. While the MC,ERA and PMEM of GDMIs can build on the existing risk assessment framework for GMIs that do not contain engineered gene drives, there are specific areas where further guidance is needed for GDMIs.
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44
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Lester PJ, Bulgarella M, Baty JW, Dearden PK, Guhlin J, Kean JM. The potential for a CRISPR gene drive to eradicate or suppress globally invasive social wasps. Sci Rep 2020; 10:12398. [PMID: 32709966 PMCID: PMC7382497 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-69259-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
CRISPR gene drives have potential for widespread and cost-efficient pest control, but are highly controversial. We examined a potential gene drive targeting spermatogenesis to control the invasive common wasp (Vespula vulgaris) in New Zealand. Vespula wasps are haplodiploid. Their life cycle makes gene drive production challenging, as nests are initiated by single fertilized queens in spring followed by several cohorts of sterile female workers and the production of reproductives in autumn. We show that different spermatogenesis genes have different levels of variation between introduced and native ranges, enabling a potential 'precision drive' that could target the reduced genetic diversity and genotypes within the invaded range. In vitro testing showed guide-RNA target specificity and efficacy that was dependent on the gene target within Vespula, but no cross-reactivity in other Hymenoptera. Mathematical modelling incorporating the genetic and life history traits of Vespula wasps identified characteristics for a male sterility drive to achieve population control. There was a trade-off between drive infiltration and impact: a drive causing complete male sterility would not spread, while partial sterility could be effective in limiting population size if the homing rate is high. Our results indicate that gene drives may offer viable suppression for wasps and other haplodiploid pests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip J Lester
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington, New Zealand.
| | - Mariana Bulgarella
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - James W Baty
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Peter K Dearden
- Genomics Aotearoa and Biochemistry Department, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Joseph Guhlin
- Genomics Aotearoa and Biochemistry Department, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - John M Kean
- AgResearch Limited, Hamilton, 3240, New Zealand
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