The potential for a CRISPR gene drive to eradicate or suppress globally invasive social wasps.

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 ef

SUBMITTER: Lester PJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7382497 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature