The GeneConvene Virtual Institute aggregates, curates and shares knowledge to advance understanding of gene drive technologies and selfish genetic elements.
The GeneConvene Virtual Institute is an initiative of the GeneConvene Global Collaborative, a program within the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health that advances best practices for genetic biocontrol technologies such as those using gene drive.
Gene drive and other genetic biocontrol technologies are emerging technologies with implications for public health, conservation and agriculture. Conversations and discussions about these technologies will benefit from well-informed stakeholders and other interested parties.
Decisions by stakeholders regarding the research, development and possible use of gene drive and other biocontrol technologies will benefit from stakeholders having sources of knowledge of the scientific, social, safety and economic dimensions of these technologies.
Knowledge of gene drive and other genetic biocontrol technologies is growing rapidly but is fragmented and dispersed throughout the internet. The aim of the Virtual Institute is to bring knowledge of gene drive and other genetic biocontrol technologies together in one virtual location to make it readily accessible to those with interests in these technologies.
Stay informed of developments in the gene drive and genetic biocontrol spaces!
GeneConvene Virtual Institute Newsletter
The Latest About Gene Drive and Genetic Biocontrol
The GeneConvene Virtual Institute is built on a database of content in the categories shown in the tab labels below. Content coming into the Virtual Institute in these categories can be seen in each tab as well as all of the content in each of the categories, organized chronologically.
Featured Article
A home and rescue gene drive forces its inheritance stably persisting in populations
N. P. Kandul, J. Liu, J. B. Bennett, J. M. Marshall and O. Akbari, bioRxiv, 2020.08.21.261610. 2020.Homing based gene drives, engineered using CRISPR/Cas9, have been proposed to spread desirable genes into target populations. However, spread of such drives can be hindered by the accumulation of resistance alleles. To overcome this significant obstacle, we engineer a population modification Home-and-Rescue (HomeR) drive in Drosophila melanogaster that, by creative design, limits the accumulation of such alleles.
We demonstrate that HomeR can achieve nearly ~100% transmission enabling it to persist at genotypic fixation in several multi-generational population cage experiments, underscoring its long term stability. Finally, we conduct mathematical modeling determining HomeR can outperform contemporary gene drive architectures for population modification over wide ranges of fitness and transmission rates. Given its straightforward design, HomeR could be universally adapted to a wide range of species.
Scholarly Literature
This is an aggregation of scholarly literature from peer-reviewed journals, bioRxiv , medRxiv and arXiv preprint serversfocused on natural and engineered selfish genetic elements and genetic biocontrol. New citations are added as they appear. This content is intended for anyone interested in the scholarly literature on gene drive and genetic biocontrol.
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A home and rescue gene drive forces its inheritance stably persisting in populationsN. P. Kandul, J. Liu, J. B. Bennett, J. M. Marshall and O. Akbari, bioRxiv, 2020.08.21.261610. 2020.We demonstrate that HomeR can achieve nearly ~100% transmission enabling it to persist at genotypic fixation in several multi-generational population cage experiments, underscoring its long term stability. |
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Lateral Gene Transfer Mechanisms and Pan-genomes in EukaryotesS. J. Sibbald, L. Eme, J. M. Archibald and A. J. Roger, Trends in Parasitology, 2020.Here we review evidence for known and potential mechanisms of LGT into diverse eukaryote lineages with a particular focus on protists, and we discuss trends emerging from recently reported examples. We also explore the potential role of LGT in generating ‘pan-genomes’ in ... |
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Atypical meiosis can be adaptive in outcrossed Schizosaccharomyces pombe due to wtf meiotic driversM. A. Bravo Núñez, I. M. Sabbarini, L. E. Eide, R. L. Unckless and S. E. Zanders, eLife, 9:e57936. 2020.Here, we demonstrate that in scenarios analogous to outcrossing, wtf drivers generate a fitness landscape in which atypical spores, such as aneuploids and diploids, are advantageous. In this context, wtf drivers can decrease the fitness costs of mutations that disrupt meiotic ... |
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Modelling the suppression of a malaria vector using a CRISPR-Cas9 gene drive to reduce female fertilityA. R. North, A. Burt and H. C. J. Godfray, BMC Biology, 18:98. 2020.Gene drives based on CRISPR-Cas9 technology are increasingly being considered as tools for reducing the capacity of mosquito populations to transmit malaria, and one of the most promising options is driving endonuclease genes that reduce the fertility of female mosquitoes. Here, ... |
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Media Coverage
This is a database of print and digital media coverage of gene drive technologies and genetic biocontrol-related topics. This database is intended to serve experts and non-experts by capturing how gene drive/genetic biocontrol technologies and issues around the technologies are being represented, discussed, debated and evaluated by publics.
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Florida to release genetically modified mosquitoes to prevent diseases like ZikaThe West News, The West News, 2020.Local authorities on Tuesday gave final approval to release 750 million genetically modified mosquitoes in the Florida Keys over a two-year period, starting in 2021. |
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A home and rescue gene drive forces its inheritance stably persisting in populationsN. P. Kandul, J. Liu, J. B. Bennett, J. M. Marshall and O. Akbari, bioRxiv, 2020.08.21.261610. 2020.We demonstrate that HomeR can achieve nearly ~100% transmission enabling it to persist at genotypic fixation in several multi-generational population cage experiments, underscoring its long term stability. |
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Genetically modified mosquitoes have been OK’d for a first U.S. test flightS. Milius, ScienceNews, 2020.After a decade of fits and starts, officials in the Florida Keys have voted to allow the first test in the United States of free-flying, genetically modified mosquitoes as a way to fight the pests and the diseases they spread. |
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Florida Will Release Genetically Modified Mosquitoes to Fight Disease in the KeysS. Harrell, Spectrum News, 2020.Following lengthy federal and state procedures, the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District this week approved a plan to release more than 750 million genetically modified mosquitoes in the Keys region to combat an invasive, disease-carrying species of the insect. |
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Perspectives
This is a curated collection of scholarly and non-scholarly materials that can be found in the Scholarly Literature and Media Coverage databases that are ‘opinion-heavy’. This collection is intended to capture the full range of thought and opinion about gene drive technologies.
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Viewpoint: Is there a scientific basis to ban gene drive technology that can rid us of virus-carrying rodents and mosquitoes?K. Vavitas, Genes and Science, 2020.Gene drives may be invaluable tools to control the spread of parasites, invasive species, and disease carriers. But the technology has faced strong opposition from activist groups and some mainstream scientists based on environmental and food safety. Are these concerns valid? |
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Cytoplasmic incompatibility: an autocidal mechanism for mosquito population controlV. Dev, BugBitten BMC, 2020.Cytoplasmic incompatibility resulting in non-reciprocal fertility is a naturally occurring phenomenon, but remains unexplored to greater extent for the control of insect vector populations. This mechanism deserves priority for mosquito control and reducing disease transmission, ... |
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CRISPR gene drives could eliminate many vector-driven pests and diseases, but challenges remainJ. Champer, Genes and Science, 2020.A functioning gene drive system could fundamentally change our strategies for the control of vector-borne diseases by facilitating rapid dissemination of transgenes that prevent pathogen transmission or reduce vector capacity. CRISPR/Cas9 gene drive promises such a mechanism, ... |
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An argument for gene drive technology to genetically control populations of insects like mosquitoes and locustsI. Ronai and B. Lovett, The Conversation, 2020.The fate of society rests in part on how humans navigate their complicated relationship with insects – trying to save “good” insects and control “bad” ones. Some insects, like mosquitoes, bite people and make them sick – remember Zika? Now the U.S. mosquito season is ... |
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Risk, Regulation, and Policy
This is a collection of scholarly works, government and non-government documents and reports related to policy, risk assessment, and regulation of gene drive/genetic biocontrol technologies.
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Global Governing Bodies: A Pathway for Gene Drive Governance for Vector Mosquito ControlA. Kelsey, D. Stillinger, T. B. Pham, J. Murphy, S. Firth and R. Carballar-Lejarazú, American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 2020.We examined the current institutions and governing bodies among various continents that could have an impact on gene drive governance or the potential to adapt to its future use. Possible governance strategies also are proposed that seek to bridge gaps and promote an ethically ... |
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Lettre ouverte a Monsieur le Premier Ministre demandant l’interdiction de la production, de l’utilisation et de la dissémination de tout OGM issu du forçage génétiqueA. Bossu, N. Laarman, D. Houdebine, H. Le Meur, F. Jacquemart and F. Warlop, Open Letter, 2020.A. Bossu, N. Laarman, D. Houdebine, H. Le Meur, F. Jacquemart and F. Warlop (2020). Open Letter. An open letter from French civil society organizations urging the French Parliament to support a resolution at the upcoming Convention on Biodiversity that would call for a ... |
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Providing a policy framework for responsible gene drive research: an analysis of the existing governance landscape and priority areas for further researchD. Thizy, I. Coche and J. de Vries, Wellcome Open Research, 2020.D. Thizy, I. Coche and J. de Vries (2020). Wellcome Open Research. doi: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.16023.1 In this manuscript, we review the existing regulatory landscape around gene drive research and map areas of convergence and divergence, as well as gaps in relation to ... |
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Genome Editing in Food and Farming: Risks and unexpected consequencesJ. Cotter and D. Perls, Canadian Biotechnology Action Network, 2020.J. Cotter and D. Perls (2020). Canadian Biotechnology Action Network. In this report, we provide an overview of genome editing techniques being explored in agriculture, and the range of potential unexpected effects that can arise from them. The report draws on recent scientific ... |
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Infographics
A curated collection of infographics related to gene drive technologies.
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Using Gene Drive to Control MalariaThe Scientist, The Scientist, 2016.This article provides illustrations for how gene drive works, how gene drives spread, and how gene drive could be used to control malaria using population-wide gene knockout, skewed sex ratio, and population-wide gene knock-in techniques. Visit the article to view all ... |
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What is Gene Drive?Entomological Society of America, 2015.A fact sheet from the Entomological Society of America. |
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Video
A curated collection of videos pertaining to gene drive/genetic biocontrol technologies. Included are videos and recorded webinars.
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How do you make a gene drive mosquito?GeneConvene Virtual Institute, GeneConvene Global Collaborative, 2020.This short video explains and illustrates how transgenic mosquitoes are made in the laboratory. While mosquitoes are the focus of the video, the process shown is used to create transgenic insects of almost any species. |
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Gene Drive WebinarsEuropean Network of Scientists for Social and Environmental Responsibility, , 2020.This series of 5 Webinars by some of the authors of the interdisciplinary Gene Drive Report (2019) and were organised by four organisations of independent scientists: the European Network of Scientists for Social and Environmental Responsibility (ENSSER), Critical Scientists ... |
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Jonathan Latham on Gene Drives and the Gates FoundationJames Corbett, The Corbett Report, 2020.Jonathan Latham of Independent Science News joins us to discuss his 2017 article, “Gates Foundation Hired PR Firm to Manipulate UN Over Gene Drives.” We talk about gene drives, the dangers inherent in this technology, how the UN is involved, and why the Gates Foundation and ... |
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Gene drive outcomes not determined by genetic variation – A PodcastThomas Locke, Malaria Minute, 2020.Gene drives are a system of genetic modification that use ‘molecular scissors’ to edit DNA sequences that self-perpetuate to ensure the rapid spread of mutation in a population. They offer new avenues for eradicating vector-borne diseases like malaria. They rely on the Cas9 ... |
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