Developing methods for driving beneficial genetic traits into vector populations

Such genes might, for example, be ones that reduce the ability of the mosquito to spread a disease such as malaria or dengue. If most or all mosquitoes in an area carried such a gene, transmission of the disease in that area should be reduced or eliminated. To get the genes into most of the mosquitoes, and for this to be stable for a useful period of time it will need a means to make these genes spread and persist a so-called gene drive system. The new genes also can not to spread beyond the intended area, and need to be removable or replacable if necessary. The aim is to develop genetic systems with these properties, and analyse their properties in the laboratory. A synthetic biology approach will be taken to develop genetic circuits which provide this property, and are also well-suited to combining with beneficial genes. The ambitious endpoint for this project is to have a working laboratory proof-of-principle demonstration of this type of gene drive system.

Project Details

Genetics and Genomics
Vector Control

Jun 2016 — Apr 2022

$2.07M

United Kingdom