| Summary: | Gene-drive endonucleases (GDEs) are genes that can spread through a population through a non-Mendelian mechanism. In a heterozygote they cause a double-strand break in the homologous chromosome opposite to where they are inserted and when the break is repaired using the homologue as a template the GDE heterozygote is converted to a homozygote. Several classes of endonucleases can be engineered to spread in this way, with CRISPR-Cas9 based systems being particularly flexible. There is great interest in using gene-drive endonucleases to impose a genetic load on insects that vector diseases or are economic pests to reduce their population density, or to introduce a beneficial gene such as one that might interrupt disease transmission. This paper reviews the population biology of GDEs, both population genetics and population dynamics. It summarises the theory that guides the design of GDE constructs intended to perform different functions. It also reviews the studies that have explored the likelihood of resistance arising to GDE phenotypes, and how this risk may be reduced. The review is intended for a general audience and mathematical details are kept to a minimum.
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