Designing gene drives to limit spillover to non-target populations

11Citations
Citations of this article
54Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.
Get full text

Abstract

The prospect of utilizing CRISPR-based gene-drive technology for controlling populations has generated much excitement. However, the potential for spillovers of gene-drive alleles from the target population to non-target populations has raised concerns. Here, using mathematical models, we investigate the possibility of limiting spillovers to non-target populations by designing differential-targeting gene drives, in which the expected equilibrium gene-drive allele frequencies are high in the target population but low in the non-target population. We find that achieving differential targeting is possible with certain configurations of gene-drive parameters, but, in most cases, only under relatively low migration rates between populations. Under high migration, differential targeting is possible only in a narrow region of the parameter space. Because fixation of the gene drive in the non-target population could severely disrupt ecosystems, we outline possible ways to avoid this outcome. We apply our model to two potential applications of gene drives—field trials for malaria-vector gene drives and control of invasive species on islands. We discuss theoretical predictions of key requirements for differential targeting and their practical implications.

References Powered by Scopus

A CRISPR-Cas9 gene drive system targeting female reproduction in the malaria mosquito vector Anopheles gambiae

864Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Highly efficient Cas9-mediated gene drive for population modification of the malaria vector mosquito Anopheles stephensi

752Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

A CRISPR–Cas9 gene drive targeting doublesex causes complete population suppression in caged Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes

561Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Cited by Powered by Scopus

Gene drive strategies of pest control in agricultural systems: Challenges and opportunities

27Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Integrated Pest Management: An Update on the Sustainability Approach to Crop Protection

20Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Chemical Ecology and Olfaction in Short-Horned Grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Acrididae)

19Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

Greenbaum, G., Feldman, M. W., Rosenberg, N. A., & Kim, J. (2021). Designing gene drives to limit spillover to non-target populations. PLoS Genetics, 17(2 February). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgen.1009278

Readers' Seniority

Tooltip

PhD / Post grad / Masters / Doc 12

75%

Researcher 3

19%

Professor / Associate Prof. 1

6%

Readers' Discipline

Tooltip

Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Bi... 12

55%

Agricultural and Biological Sciences 7

32%

Medicine and Dentistry 2

9%

Social Sciences 1

5%

Article Metrics

Tooltip
Social Media
Shares, Likes & Comments: 9

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free