Homing CRISPR targeting doublesex gene in Anopheles gambiae - Imperial College

African malaria mosquito

Intended use

Reduction of transmission of malaria pathogen by this vector (to reduce morbidity and mortality from malaria in Sub-Saharan Africa)

Readiness of Technology

7 - Large cage trials

Project leader

Crisanti A

Institution

Imperial College London, UK

Project leader

Müller R

Institution

Polo GGB, Terni, Italy

Project leader

Simoni A

Institution

Polo GGB, Terni, Italy

Project leader

Hancock PA

Institution

Imperial College London UK

Project leader

Diabate A

Institution

Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, Burkina Faso

Publications

Kyrou et al., 2018

Hammond, Pollegioni et al, 2021

Garrood et al, 2021

Taxiarchi et al, 2021

D'Amato et al., 2024

Hancock et al., 2024

Kientega et al., 2024

Authors name for system

Gene drive targeting doublesex (dsx gene); or dsxF CRISPR gene drive

Class of Technology

Homing gene drive

Field(s) of application

Vector control

Location of proposed release

Burkina Faso

Additional notes

This gene drive system also appears to be intended to target Anopheles coluzzii, Anopheles arabiensis and Anopheles funestus - see separate entries of these species

Description of system

Homing gene drive targeting doublesex gene

For specialists

Description

This homing gene drive targets a highly conserved gene, doublesex, which can not easily mutate to create resistance to cleavage by CRISPR. Males are unaffected by the drive, but female homozygotes are sterile.

Notes on readiness of technology

Functional in large cage trials (Hammond et al., 2021). Assessed for off target effects of CRISPR (Garrood et al., 2021). Assessed capacity of anti-CRISPR proteins to halt drive (Taxiarchi et al., 2021).

Purpose of research

The rationale for this design is overcome evolved resistance observed with previous homing gene drive designs.

Phenotype

Females homozygotes show 'an intersex phenotype and complete sterility'

Authors name for construct(s) - old

dsxFCRISPRh

Research in target organism

✔

Research in model organism

✖

Intended for release

✖

Intended direct effects

Population suppression/eradication