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Maximising Eradication Potential of Rat Gene Drives Using a Two-Target Homing Rescue Strategy: Spatial Modelling of
Aysegul Birand1, Luke Gierus2,3, Thomas A A Prowse1
1School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
Molecular Ecology
|April 29, 2025
Summary
Gene drives show promise for controlling invasive rat populations. A new study reveals that even modest homing rates can achieve significant population suppression and potential eradication using specific gene drive strategies.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Genetics
- Conservation Biology
Background:
- Gene drives offer potential for invasive species control, particularly for mammalian pests threatening global biodiversity.
- Research on gene drive applications in rats is less advanced than in mice, despite rats being significant invasive pests.
- Recent data show achievable germline gene conversion and modest homing rates in female rats.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential of various gene drive strategies for suppressing an island rat population.
- To model the efficacy of different gene drive designs using empirically derived homing rates in rats.
- To assess the influence of homing rate and cutting efficiency on eradication success.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a stochastic, spatially explicit, individual-based modeling framework.
- Applied empirically derived homing rates (up to 67%) from rat germline gene conversion studies.
- Simulated standard homing drives and a two-target homing rescue (HR) drive design.
Main Results:
- Standard homing drives achieved permanent population suppression but not eradication.
- A two-target HR drive, particularly one targeting a haplosufficient female fertility gene, demonstrated robust eradication potential.
- Homing rate had minimal impact on eradication, while cutting efficiency at the haplolethal gene was critical.
Conclusions:
- Modest homing rates, as demonstrated in rats, can be effective for gene drive-based population suppression.
- Specific gene drive designs, like HR drives targeting fertility genes, offer viable strategies for invasive rat eradication.
- Gene drive technology presents new opportunities for biodiversity conservation through invasive pest management.
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