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SUMMARY:CRISPR based gene drive approaches for population control of malar
 ia mosquitoes - Andrea Crisanti
DTSTART:20181009T170000Z
DTEND:20181009T190000Z
UID:TALK111109@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Maya Ben Yami
DESCRIPTION:CRISPR-CAS9 nucleases have recently been employed in gene driv
 e systems to target endogenous sequences of the human malaria vector Anoph
 eles gambiae and Anopheles stephensi with the objective to develop genetic
  vector control measures. These gene drives have potential of to modify th
 e genetic makeup of a species and change its evolutionary destiny either b
 y suppressing its reproductive capability or permanently modifying the out
 come of the mosquito-Plasmodium parasite interaction. However\, a number o
 f technical and scientific issues need be addressed\, mainly the developme
 nt of resistance to the gene drive. \n\nTo validate alternative gene drive
  targets\, Professor Crisanti has manipulated the sex determination differ
 entiation pathway of A. gambiae mosquitoes by selectively blocking the for
 mation of the female splice transcript of the highly conserved\, alternati
 vely spliced gene double sex (dsx). The conserved functional role of dsx f
 or sex determination in all insect species so far analysed suggests that t
 hese sequences could represent an Achilles heel for similar gene drive sol
 utions aimed at targeting other vector species and agricultural pests.\n\n
 The talk is open to the public!\n\n*Start: 18:00*\n1hr talk followed by a 
 Q&A\, then cheese & wine & a chat!\n\nWhere: Pfizer lecture theatre\, Chem
 istry department\n\nMembers: Free | Non-members: £3\n\nhttps://www.facebo
 ok.com/events/2146657358882722/
LOCATION:Pfizer Lecture Theatre\, Department of Chemistry\, Lensfield Road
 \, Cambridge
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