PSW2378: The Mosquito, Synthetic Biology, CRISPR, and Malaria
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The Mosquito, Synthetic Biology, CRISPR, and Malaria
Using Gene Modification and Gene Drive to Eradicate a Disease
A promising strategy for combating malaria is based on harnessing gene drive systems to spread anti-malarial genes throughout mosquito populations rendering them unable to transmit the parasites. Highly-effective anti-malarial gene cassettes that result in a 100% block in mosquitos of Plasmodium falciparum, the most deadly human malaria parasite, were linked to a gene-drive system based on CRISPR/Cas9 biology, and in laboratory experiments using gene drive spread with 99.5% efficiency in Anopheles stephensi mosquitos, the major malarial mosquito vector in urban India.
Come learn about the challenges that remain to be overcome before deploying the system against malaria outside the laboratory.
Anthony A. James
Distinguished Professor
Dept's of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics and Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of California - Irvine
Abstract and author bio (http://www.philsoc.org/2017Spring/2378abstract.html)
Note: There is NO onsite parking - metro (red line) is the best option.