Can a Population Targeted by a CRISPR-Based Homing Gene Drive Be Rescued?

ABSTRACT: CRISPR-based homing gene drive is a genetic control technique aiming to modify or eradicate natural populations. This technique is based on the release of individuals carrying an engineered piece of DNA that can be preferentially inherited by the progeny. The development of countermeasures is important to control the spread of gene drives, should they result in unanticipated damages. One proposed countermeasure is the introduction of individuals carrying a brake construct that targets and inactivates the drive allele but leaves the wild-type allele unaffected. Here we develop models to investigate the efficiency of such brakes. We consider a variable population size and use a combination of analytical and numerical methods to determine the conditions where a brake can prevent the extinctio

SUBMITTER: Rode NO 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7466991 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature