@article{manser_cornell_sutter_blondel_serr_godwin_price_2019, title={Controlling invasive rodents via synthetic gene drive and the role of polyandry}, volume={286}, ISSN={0962-8452 1471-2954}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2019.0852}, DOI={10.1098/rspb.2019.0852}, abstractNote={House mice are a major ecosystem pest, particularly threatening island ecosystems as a non-native invasive species. Rapid advances in synthetic biology offer new avenues to control pest species for biodiversity conservation. Recently, a synthetic sperm-killing gene drive construct called t-Sry has been proposed as a means to eradicate target mouse populations owing to a lack of females. A factor that has received little attention in the discussion surrounding such drive applications is polyandry. Previous research has demonstrated that sperm-killing drivers are extremely damaging to a male’s sperm competitive ability. Here, we examine the importance of this effect on the t-Sry system using a theoretical model. We find that polyandry substantially hampers the spread of t-Sry such that release efforts have to be increased three- to sixfold for successful eradication. We discuss the implications of our finding for potential pest control programmes, the risk of drive spread beyond the target population, and the emergence of drive resistance. Our work highlights that a solid understanding of the forces that determine drive dynamics in a natural setting is key for successful drive application, and that exploring the natural diversity of gene drives may inform effective gene drive design.}, number={1909}, journal={Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences}, publisher={The Royal Society}, author={Manser, Andri and Cornell, Stephen J. and Sutter, Andreas and Blondel, Dimitri V. and Serr, Megan and Godwin, John and Price, Tom A. R.}, year={2019}, month={Aug}, pages={20190852} }
 @article{barnhill-dilling_serr_blondel_godwin_2019, title={Sustainability as a Framework for Considering Gene Drive Mice for Invasive Rodent Eradication}, volume={11}, ISSN={2071-1050}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su11051334}, DOI={10.3390/su11051334}, abstractNote={Gene drives represent a dynamic and controversial set of technologies with applications that range from mosquito control to the conservation of biological diversity on islands. Currently, gene drives are being developed in mice that may one day serve as an important tool for reducing invasive rodent pests, a key threat to island biodiversity and economies. Gene drives in mice are still in development in laboratories, and wild release of modified mice is likely a distant reality. However, technological changes outpace the existing capacity of regulatory frameworks, and thus require integrated governance frameworks. We suggest sustainability—which gives equal consideration to the environment, economy, and society—as one framework for addressing complexity and uncertainty in the governance of emerging gene drive technologies for invasive species management. We explore the impacts of rodent gene drives on island environments, including potential conservation and restoration of island biodiversity. We outline considerations for rodent gene drives on island economies, including impacts on agricultural and tourism losses, and reductions in biosecurity costs. Finally, we address the social dimension as an essential space for deliberation that will be integral to evaluating the potential deployment of gene drive rodents on islands.}, number={5}, journal={Sustainability}, publisher={MDPI AG}, author={Barnhill-Dilling, S. and Serr, Megan and Blondel, Dimitri and Godwin, John}, year={2019}, month={Mar}, pages={1334} }
 @article{leitschuh_kanavy_backus_valdez_serr_pitts_threadgill_godwin_2017, title={Developing gene drive technologies to eradicate invasive rodents from islands}, volume={5}, ISSN={2329-9460 2329-9037}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/23299460.2017.1365232}, DOI={10.1080/23299460.2017.1365232}, abstractNote={Island ecosystems are highly threatened by invasive rats and mice. Currently, the only effective technology for eradicating rodents from islands is toxicants. Though effective, they are expensive a...}, number={sup1}, journal={Journal of Responsible Innovation}, publisher={Informa UK Limited}, author={Leitschuh, Caroline M. and Kanavy, Dona and Backus, Gregory A. and Valdez, Rene X. and Serr, Megan and Pitts, Elizabeth A. and Threadgill, David and Godwin, John}, year={2017}, month={Dec}, pages={S121–S138} }
 @misc{kanavy_serr_2017, title={Sry Gene Drive for Rodent Control: Reply to Gemmell and Tompkins}, volume={32}, ISSN={["1872-8383"]}, DOI={10.1016/j.tree.2017.03.006}, abstractNote={We would like to thank Gemmell and Tompkins for their interest and comments on the article by Piaggio et al. [ 1 Piaggio A.J. et al. Is it time for synthetic biodiversity conservation?. Trends Ecol. Evol. 2016; 32: 97-107 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (108) Google Scholar ]. The issues raised by Gemmell and Tompkins [ 2 Gemmell N.J. Tompkins D.M. Gene drives and rodent control: response to Piaggio et al.. Trends Ecol. Evol. 2017; 32: 314-315 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (10) Google Scholar ] are very pertinent, and they correctly identified that the format of the article did not lend itself to a comprehensive discussion of the ideas of using gene drives in mice. The method being considered in the Piaggio et al. article is to utilize a naturally occurring t-allele transgene (Tg) to sex-bias a mouse population, causing it to crash. Inserting the sex-determining region on the Y chromosome (Sry) into the Tg allows biased inheritance where the majority of the offspring born are phenotypically male.}, number={5}, journal={TRENDS IN ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION}, author={Kanavy, Dona and Serr, Megan}, year={2017}, month={May}, pages={315–316} }