Preliminary work towards a homing CRISPR gene drive in Ceratitis capitata - University of Gottingen

Ceratitis capitata

Mediterranean fruit fly (or medfly)

Intended use

Reduction of damage to fruit crops caused by this species

Readiness of Technology

3 - Preliminary laboratory work published

Project leader

Wimmer EA

Institution

University of Gottingen

Publications

Carrami et al., 2018

Authors name for system

Cas9 based sex conversion suppression gene drive

Field(s) of application

Agriculture

Additional notes

The proposed gene drive design has been tested in Drosophila melanogaster but is subject to the emergence of resistance alleles

Description of system

Homing CRISPR

For specialists

Description

Homing CRISPR gene drive targeting transformer gene (tra) resulting in all male off-spring (i.e. XX individuals are male). In C. capitata such XX males are fertile

Notes on readiness of technology

The proposed drive has only actually been demonstrated in D. melanogaster, where it is subject to emergence of resistant alleles

Phenotype

XX individuals develop as male in D. melanogaster

Authors name for construct(s)

No constructs yet tested in C. capitata

Research in target organism

✖

Research in model organism

✖

Intended for release

✖

Intended direct effects

Population suppression/eradication