title: Dynamics of a combined Medea-underdominant population transformation system.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Transgenic constructs intended to be stably established at high frequencies in wild populations have been demonstrated to "drive" from low frequencies in experimental insect populations. Linking such population transformation constructs to genes which render them unable to transmit pathogens could eventually be used to stop the spread of vector-borne diseases like malaria and dengue.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Generally, population transformation constructs with only a single transgenic drive mechanism have been envisioned. Using a theoretical modelling approach we describe the predicted properties of a construct combining autosomal Medea and underdominant population transformation systems. We show that when combined they can exhibit synergistic properties which in broad circumstances surpass those of the single systems.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  With combined systems, intentional population transformation and its reversal can be achieved readily. Combined constructs also enhance the capacity to geographically restrict transgenic constructs to targeted populations. It is anticipated that these properties are likely to be of particular value in attracting regulatory approval and public acceptance of this novel technology.
authors.affiliation: Department of Evolutionary Theory, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, August Thienemann Str-2, 24306 Plön, Germany. gokhale@evolbio.mpg.de.
authors.forename: Chaitanya S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Gokhale
authors.forename: Richard Guy
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Reeves
authors.forename: Floyd A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Reed
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D002875:Chromosomes; D056084:Genetic Fitness; D007300:Insect Control; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development*; D011157:Population Dynamics