Today, researchers came again one step closer to using gene-drives for population control of pest species. In this case, Kyrou et al. targeted the highly conserved sexual differentiator, doublesex, using CRISPR/Cas9. They show that by disrupting the intron-exon boundary of the female-specific splice variant they could create intersexes that are sterile instead of healthy females. As they only targeted the female-splice variant, males were unaffected. However, it did require a homozygous mutation as one functional allele was still enough for normal female development. By creating a gene-drive targeting this specific site, they could spread this mutation quickly through the population, crashing it within a few generations.

Gene regulatory evolution in insect sexual dimorphism

Within my lab I'm looking for a highly motivated and skilled postdoc candidate, interested in curiosity-driven research who can work in a multidisciplinary team in a collaborative spirit. Your main task will be to identify the binding sites and target genes of the sexual differentiator, doublesex.

​For more background on the position, go to Available positions.

To apply for this position please go here. The deadline is September 23.