# Development of synthetic gene drives using small molecules

> **NIH NIH R01** · BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL · 2022 · $357,272

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Gene drives enable a super-Mendelian inheritance where the chance of passing on the gene to the progeny is
100%, and this super-Mendelian inheritance has been demonstrated for several engineered genes in multiple
organisms. Gene-drive mediated trait propagation in the entire ecosystem may find use in the elimination of
diseases (e.g., malaria, dengue fever) or invasive species, and reversing the pesticide resistance in plants. We
propose to use tools and principles of chemistry to develop controllers that will allow us to understand the
strength and limitations of the gene drive technologies.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10470220
- **Project number:** 5R01GM132825-04
- **Recipient organization:** BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** Omar Sultan Akbari
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $357,272
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-09-01 → 2024-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10470220

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10470220, Development of synthetic gene drives using small molecules (5R01GM132825-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10470220. Licensed CC0.

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