Gene Editing and the War Against Malaria

CRISPR gene drive is a new technology, but it mimics a natural process that has been known since the 1950s. The genes in an organism sometimes subvert the ability of other genes in the same organism to produce gametes. Such genes are said to induce “segregation distortion” or “meiotic drive.” After explaining this evolutionary idea, Sober will describe how CRISPR gene drives work. Mosquitoes spread malaria to human beings. Rather than seeking to eradicate these mosquitoes, CRISPR gene drives are designed to modify the genes in mosquitoes so that they no longer spread the disease. He'll describe some of the advantages of modification over eradication. [For background, see this paper, co-authored by Professor Sober and Ethan Bier.]

Speaker: Elliott Sober, Universityof Wisconsin - Madison

Room: Board Room