Gene-Drive Technology

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About Gene-Drive Technology

A gene drive is a type of genetic engineering technique that modifies genes.
This technology was conceived by Austin Burt, professor at Imperial College London.
This technique could be an effective way to eradicate nuisance species, such as malaria-causing mosquitoes.
Under this technique mosquitoes will selectively inherit some genes, rather than the inheritance to follow the rules of Mendelian genetics.
In this a protein cuts the mosquito’s DNA at a part that doesn’t encode a particular sequence in the genome.
This triggers a natural mechanism in the cell containing the DNA to repair it and forces the cell to incorporate a sequence, called the drive sequence, into the damaged portion.

Recent development

Researchers at Imperial College London genetically enhanced a gene expressed in the midgut of mosquitoes to secrete two antimicrobial substances called magainin 2 and melittin.
They are detrimental to the Plasmodium parasite’s development in the midgut and also reduce the lifespan of female mosquitoes.
Computational modelling studies have suggested that this approach could significantly disrupt malaria transmission.

Q1) What is Malaria?

Malaria is a serious and potentially life-threatening infectious disease caused by parasites of the Plasmodium genus. It is primarily transmitted to humans through the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. Malaria is a significant global health issue, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions of the world.

Source: Buzzing breakthrough: Genetic engineering gives mosquito control an upgrade