{"id":3425,"date":"2025-01-16T12:20:18","date_gmt":"2025-01-16T12:20:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/genedrivenetwork.org\/?p=3425"},"modified":"2025-01-16T12:55:26","modified_gmt":"2025-01-16T12:55:26","slug":"2024-in-review-highlights-in-the-field-of-gene-drive-research","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/genedrivenetwork.org\/fr\/blog\/2024-in-review-highlights-in-the-field-of-gene-drive-research\/","title":{"rendered":"2024 in review: Highlights in the field of gene drive research"},"content":{"rendered":"

2024 was a year of progress and collaboration for the Outreach Network for Gene Drive Research. As we start 2025, we take a moment to reflect on the key milestones and achievements of the past year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Outreach<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

New members<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Network welcomed three new members this year. Transmission Zero<\/a>, a global malaria research programme working to develop innovative genetic tools to stop malaria transmission; the African Center for Excellence in Molecular Engineering (ACEME<\/a>) \u2013 whose vision is to place African scientists at the forefront of developing innovative solutions to fight vector-borne diseases; and the Champer Lab<\/a>, which focuses on refining and testing different gene drive approaches and designs in organisms such as the common fruit fly and mosquitoes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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ACEME researchers at work in the laboratory at the University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako (USTTB). Photograph: ACEME<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Research and publication highlights<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2024 saw the publication of several scientific papers reflecting significant progress in the field of gene drive research. The Alphey Lab<\/a> de l\u2019 University of York<\/a> published research<\/a> showing that split-drive systems can effectively propagate in caged mosquito populations of Aedes aegypti<\/em> mosquitoes \u2013 which are vectors of several diseases, including dengue \u2013 \u00a0indicating a promising advancement towards more effective measures to fight this vector. Target Malaria<\/a>, Transmission Zero, the University of California Malaria Initiative (UCMI<\/a>) and colleagues co-authored a collaborative paper<\/a>, detailing a potential process for conducting field evaluations of gene drive technologies for malaria control. Additionally, Target Malaria published a mathematical modeling study<\/a> investigating the potential epidemiological impacts of gene drive releases in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Nicole Page, Post-Doctoral Research Associate, at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM). Photograph: LSTM<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ongoing work<\/a> by the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM<\/a>) is expanding our understanding of Anopheles funestus<\/em>, a historically understudied but crucial malaria vector in Sub-Saharan Africa. By refining CRISPR-based gene editing tools, LSTM researchers were the first to develop a technology that allows the introduction of precise genetic modifications in An. funestus<\/em> mosquitoes, opening opportunities for advancing the development of new tools to reduce malaria transmission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exploring best practices in stakeholder and community engagement<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stakeholder and community engagement are essential components of responsible gene drive research. In 2024, Network members continued sharing best practices in the field and lessons learnt through a selection of publications. In January, Target Malaria released a\u00a0publication<\/a>\u00a0assessing 10 years of stakeholder engagement to identify good practices that can inform future engagement work on gene drive research in West Africa. In February, the Institute on Ethics & Policy for Innovation (IEPI<\/a>) examined<\/a> the progress made in adhering to the Principles of Gene Drive Research, as outlined in the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine\u2019s (NASEM<\/a>)\u00a0Gene Drives on the Horizon (2016)<\/a> report. IEPI\u2019s findings showed significant alignment with the goals and spirit of the Principles within the gene drive research community, from advancing quality science to engaging thoughtfully with affected communities, stakeholders, and publics. In June, UCMI published a\u00a0paper<\/a> detailing their engagement approach in S\u00e3o Tom\u00e9 and Pr\u00edncipe (STP) over the past five years. In November, another publication<\/a> from Target Malaria<\/a> delved into how the project worked to develop a community agreement model for potential releases of non gene drive genetically modified fertile mosquitoes, contributing to the ongoing dialogue on best practices for building legitimacy in the design of community agreement models for genetic approaches to vector control.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Key moments for biodiversity conservation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the field of biodiversity conservation, members marked key international occasions throughout the year by highlighting ongoing efforts to protect biodiversity. For Invasive Species Awareness Week, Island Conservation highlighted<\/a> the work they are doing to remove invasive species from islands. For World Wildlife Day, Conservation X Labs<\/a> shared<\/a> how they are harnessing digital innovations to address the escalating crisis of biodiversity loss.  For International Day for Biological Diversity<\/a>, Island Conservation<\/a> highlighted<\/a> the importance of leveraging research and innovation to address conservation challenges, and how gene drive technologies<\/a> are being explored as a tool to tackle invasive rodent populations on islands. To mark World Nature Conservation Day, Revive & Restore<\/a> spoke about the potential of harnessing innovations for coral conservation<\/a>, including through the use of biotechnology and genetic rescue tools. In November, Island Conservation and colleagues published a study<\/a> revealing the development of a new method to detect invasive mice and mice carrying a gene drive, paving the way for more targeted invasive rodent control efforts on islands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Celebrating key international dates<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This year also marked a significant milestone for the Network with the launch of its social media presence on X<\/a> and LinkedIn<\/a>. Several campaigns were launched throughout the year to raise awareness of global health and conservation challenges and ongoing research to address these. To celebrate World Malaria Day<\/a>, we highlighted the profiles of researchers working on innovative approaches to accelerate the fight against malaria for a more equitable world. The Network also marked World Mosquito Day<\/a> by launching a campaign featuring facts about mosquito-borne diseases, the impact of climate change on disease transmission and ongoing efforts to fight the world\u2019s deadliest creature. For International Day for Biological Diversity<\/a>, we showcased the profiles of researchers and conservation experts, and their work to build back biodiversity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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