Spatial gene drives and pushed genetic waves

Hidenori Tanaka, Howard A. Stone, David R. Nelson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

42 Scopus citations

Abstract

Gene drives have the potential to rapidly replace a harmful wild-type allele with a gene drive allele engineered to have desired functionalities. However, an accidental or premature release of a gene drive construct to the natural environment could damage an ecosystem irreversibly. Thus, it is important to understand the spatiotemporal consequences of the super-Mendelian population genetics before potential applications. Here, we use a reaction–diffusion model for sexually reproducing diploid organisms to study how a locally introduced gene drive allele spreads to replace the wild-type allele, although it possesses a selective disadvantage s > 0. Using methods developed by Barton and collaborators, we show that socially responsible gene drives require 0.5 < s < 0.697, a rather narrow range. In this “pushed wave” regime, the spatial spreading of gene drives will be initiated only when the initial frequency distribution is above a threshold profile called “critical propagule,” which acts as a safeguard against accidental release. We also study how the spatial spread of the pushed wave can be stopped by making gene drives uniquely vulnerable (“sensitizing drive”) in a way that is harmless for a wild-type allele. Finally, we show that appropriately sensitized drives in two dimensions can be stopped, even by imperfect barriers perforated by a series of gaps.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)8452-8457
Number of pages6
JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Volume114
Issue number32
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 8 2017

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General

Keywords

  • Bistable wave
  • Fisher wave
  • Gene drive

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