Split drive killer-rescue provides a novel threshold-dependent gene drive.

ABSTRACT: A wide range of gene drive mechanisms have been proposed that are predicted to increase in frequency within a population even when they are deleterious to individuals carrying them. This also allows associated desirable genetic material ("cargo genes") to increase in frequency. Gene drives have garnered much attention for their potential use against a range of globally important problems including vector borne disease, crop pests and invasive species. Here we propose a novel gene drive mechanism that could be engineered using a combination of toxin-antidote and CRISPR components, each of which are already being developed for other purposes. Population genetics mathematical models are developed here to demonstrate the threshold-dependent nature of the proposed system and its robustness to i

SUBMITTER: Edgington MP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7689494 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature