Application of selfish genetic elements to vector-borne disease control

Alex Perkins, University of California, Davis

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Abstract:

I extended a previous population genetic model of the selfish genetic element Medea to account for heterozygote killing and analyzed equilibrial stability. I then coupled the population genetic model with a set of ordinary differential equations describing the dynamics of a vector-borne disease like malaria. Feedback between the population genetic and epidemiological models is complicated by the fitness dependence of different mosquito genotypes on human disease prevalence. Implications for disease control are discussed.

Abstract Author(s): Alex Perkins