PLOS Science Wednesday: Hi reddit, I’m Jackson and I identified an
important barrier to the practical application of gene drives using
CRISPR/Cas9 technology, which could be used to fight vector-borne
diseases like malaria – Ask Me Anything!
Abstract
Hello Reddit, My name is Jackson Champer and I am postdoc at Cornell. My
research focuses on gene drives, which are genes designed to spread
rapidly through populations. A successful gene drive in mosquitoes could
help fight vector borne diseases such as malaria and dengue. Together
with my coauthors, I recently published a study titled “Novel
CRISPR/Cas9 gene drive constructs reveal insights into mechanisms of
resistance allele formation and drive efficiency in genetically diverse
populations” in PLOS Genetics. We found that resistance alleles, which
prevent the spread of the gene drive, can form in both the germline and
in the embryo stages in fruit flies. We utilized the nanos promoter for
better gene drive performance, and we also found that gene drive could
produce greater or smaller numbers of resistance alleles, depending on
the genetic background of the insect. Since our PLOS Genetics article
was submitted, we have taken the first steps towards reducing resistance
allele formation. A preprint of our new results is available on bioRxiv
I will be answering your questions at 1pm ET – Ask me Anything! I also
post occasional research updates and links to gene drive papers on
Twitter, follow me @Jackson_Champer.