Dna sequence modification-based gene drive

A method of modifying a population by a vector, the method comprising:

• obtaining an organism of the population,
• positioning the vector, configured to be positioned in at least one chromosome or extra-chromosomal element in the organism, comprising:
• a first gene encoding a DNA sequence modifying enzyme, wherein the DNA modifying enzyme modifies an endogenous copy of an essential gene;
• a first promoter operably linked to the first gene encoding the DNA sequence modifying enzyme;
• a second gene encoding a rescue transgene;
• a second promoter operably linked to the rescue transgene;
• and
• optionally, one or more cargo sequences;
• expressing the DNA sequence modifying enzyme in the organism,
• inducing one or more sequence modifications in the essential gene in one or more cells in the organism, such that the one or more sequence modifications result in the essential gene being rendered partially or wholly non-functional and result in a defect in survival, growth control, fertility, or differentiation of the one or more cells if the one or more cells lack the rescue transgene,
• rescuing the defects in survival, growth control, or differentiation of the one or more cells in which the essential gene has been rendered partially or wholly non-functional, by the rescue transgene,
• generating an altered organism, wherein the altered organism carries one or more copies of the vector, and wherein the defects in survival, growth control, or differentiation of the one or more cells in which the essential gene has been rendered partially or wholly non-functional have been rescued the rescue transgene,
• introducing the altered organism in an environment wherein an increase in a frequency of the altered organism is desired relative to a frequency of a wild type organism in the population;
• replacing the wild type organism with the altered organism in the population in the environment wherein the altered organism is introduced,
• thereby modifying the population.