On November 16, 2023, Ifakara Health Institute’s Senior Scientist Dr. Brian Tarimo, will be presenting at the Outreach Network for Gene Drive Research and the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications' (ISAAA) Gene Drive Webinar Series. 

The event, scheduled to happen from 9:00 am to 10:30 am, aims to explore the captivating topic of "Genetic Tools for Conservation and Health: What's The Role of Gene Drives?"

Gene drive technologies have recently sparked international and national interest, attracting attention from various corners of the world. As part of the effort to contribute to an informed and productive discussion on gene drive technologies, the Outreach Network for Gene Drive Research and the ISAAA are hosting the "2023 Gene Drive Webinar Series." 

Objectives of the webinar

The first webinar in this series aims to familiarize attendees with the fundamentals of gene drives and their significance in global health and conservation. It will explore the prevailing applications of this technology that are currently under consideration. The session is open to ISAAA members and the general public, encouraging participation and discussion.

Understanding gene drives

Gene drives are a natural genetic mechanism that accelerates the spread of a chosen trait within a species over multiple generations. This is achieved by significantly increasing the odds that a modified gene will be passed onto offspring. In standard genetics, genes have a 50/50 chance of inheritance, but gene drive systems can elevate this likelihood to as high as 99 percent. Consequently, this allows a selected trait to become progressively more prevalent within a particular species over several generations.

>> Learn more about gene drives here

Why the webinar

The webinar will provide participants with an overview of the state of gene drive research and its rationale, with a specific focus on the two most advanced fields, namely public health and conservation. Allowing participants to directly address any questions or concerns they may have regarding this groundbreaking technology.

Distinguished Speakers

The webinar features a lineup of distinguished experts in the fields of gene drives, public health, and conservation. The speakers include; Dr. Nina Gloriani, St. Luke's Medical Centre, Dr. Carmelita Villamor, Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB), Dr. Brian Tarimo, Ifakara Health Institute and Prof. Paul Thomas, University of Adelaide and will be moderated by Dr. Mahaletchumy Arujanan of ISAAA.

About ISAAA

ISAAA is a not-for-profit international organization dedicated to sharing the benefits of new bioscience technologies with key stakeholders, particularly resource-poor farmers in developing countries. They achieve this through knowledge sharing, support for capacity building initiatives, and partnerships. Learn more here

Don't miss this opportunity to engage in the discussion, ask questions, and contribute to the informed debate surrounding this cutting-edge technology by registering here.