Gene drives gaining speed
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 25, 2025

A Rapid Protocol for Integrating Extrachromosomal Arrays With High Transmission Rate into the C. elegans Genome
Published on: December 9, 2013
1Section of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA. ebier@ucsd.edu.
Abstract:
Gene drives are selfish genetic elements that are transmitted to progeny at super-Mendelian (>50%) frequencies. Recently developed CRISPR-Cas9-based gene-drive systems are highly efficient in laboratory settings, offering the potential to reduce the prevalence of vector-borne diseases, crop pests and non-native invasive species. However, concerns have been raised regarding the potential unintended impacts of gene-drive systems. This Review summarizes the phenomenal progress in this field, focusing on optimal design features for full-drive elements (drives with linked Cas9 and guide RNA components) that either suppress target mosquito populations or modify them to prevent pathogen transmission, allelic drives for updating genetic elements, mitigating strategies including trans-complementing split-drives and genetic neutralizing elements, and the adaptation of drive technology to other organisms. These scientific advances, combined with ethical and social considerations, will facilitate the transparent and responsible advancement of these technologies towards field implementation.
Related Concept Videos
Gene Evolution - Fast or Slow?
Gene Evolution - Fast or Slow?
In contrast, regions which code...
Genetic Drift
Mutation, Gene Flow, and Genetic Drift
Gene Conversion
Gene Conversion

