There is provided a transgenic animal comprising heterologous nucleic acid encoding a bacterial organomercurial lyase and/or a bacterial mercuric reductase, wherein the transgenic animal expresses the bacterial organomercurial lyase and/or a bacterial mercuric reductase to reduce the toxicity of a mercury compound.

This disclosure is based, in part, on the unexpected discovery that a piRNA-based construct is able to silence genes that are essential for transmission and/or infection of pathogens. The disclosed constructs and methods of use thereof capitalize on the role piRNAs play in transcriptional silencing and general immunity and enable development of transgenic approaches to inhibit transmission of human and crop diseases.

This disclosure is based, in part, on the unexpected discovery that a piRNA-based construct is able to silence genes that are essential for transmission and/or infection of pathogens. The disclosed constructs and methods of use thereof capitalize on the role piRNAs play in transcriptional silencing and general immunity and enable development of transgenic approaches to inhibit transmission of human and crop diseases.

The invention relates to gene drives, and in particular to genetic sequences and constructs for use in a gene drive. The invention is especially concerned with ultra-conserved and ultra-constrained sequences for use as a gene drive target with the aim of overcoming the development of resistance to the drive. The invention is also concerned with methods of suppressing wild type arthropod populations by use of the gene drive construct described herein.

The invention relates to gene drives, and in particular to genetic sequences and constructs for use in a gene drive. The invention is especially concerned with ultra-conserved and ultra-constrained sequences for use as a gene drive target with the aim of overcoming the development of resistance to the drive. The invention is also concerned with methods of suppressing wild type arthropod populations by use of the gene drive construct described herein.

Methods of targeting a molecule of interest to the oocyte of an animal are shown. In an embodiment the method utilizes a receptor binding region of a yolk protein precursor. In embodiment the yolk protein precursor is a YP1 sequence, functional fragment of functional variant thereof. The targeting molecule is linked to the molecule of interest. The molecule of interest may be a molecule of a gene editing system, such as CRISPR/Cas and in an embodiment comprises Cas. The methods and composition are useful for targeting a molecule of interest to an animal, such as an invertebrate or insect.

Methods of targeting a molecule of interest to the oocyte of an animal are shown. In an embodiment the method utilizes a receptor binding region of a yolk protein precursor. In embodiment the yolk protein precursor is a YP1 sequence, functional fragment of functional variant thereof. The targeting molecule is linked to the molecule of interest. The molecule of interest may be a molecule of a gene editing system, such as CRISPR/Cas and in an embodiment comprises Cas. The methods and composition are useful for targeting a molecule of interest to an animal, such as an invertebrate or insect.

Disclosed are methods, compositions, and systems for transforming silkworms to produce spider silk and analogs of spider silk. In certain embodiments, the method may include inserting a DNA sequence coding for at least a portion of a spider silk fibroin polypeptide, or an analog of a spider silk fibroin polypeptide, positioned between at least a portion of the 5 and 3 ends of a silkworm fibroin gene to generate a fusion gene construct having a sequence that encodes for a polypeptide comprising both spider silk fibroin and silkworm silk fibroin sequences. In certain embodiments, the fused gene is able to replace a native gene present in the silkworm such that the transformed silkworm expresses a polypeptide comprising a spider silk fibroin polypeptide, or an analog thereof, and expresses significantly less of the native silkworm silk.

Disclosed are methods, compositions, and systems for transforming silkworms to produce spider silk and analogs of spider silk. In certain embodiments, the method may include inserting a DNA sequence coding for at least a portion of a spider silk fibroin polypeptide, or an analog of a spider silk fibroin polypeptide, positioned between at least a portion of the 5 and 3 ends of a silkworm fibroin gene to generate a fusion gene construct having a sequence that encodes for a polypeptide comprising both spider silk fibroin and silkworm silk fibroin sequences. In certain embodiments, the fused gene is able to replace a native gene present in the silkworm such that the transformed silkworm expresses a polypeptide comprising a spider silk fibroin polypeptide, or an analog thereof, and expresses significantly less of the native silkworm silk.

Provided herein are methods and transgenic systems termed Ifegenia (Inherited Female Elimination by Genetically Encoded Nucleases to Interrupt Alleles) comprising transgenic animal strains encoding Cas9 and/or gRNA that targets a female essential gene which are capable of passing down these genes as well as mutant female essential genes in wild populations in order to suppress the population of the animals, as well as methods and systems for making such animals. In some instances, the methods and systems provided herein result in both somatic and heritable germline mutations of the female essential gene resulting in daughter killing, and female essential gene mutant males reproductively viable to pass along the female essential gene mutation and related transgenes into subsequent generations. The methods and systems are adaptable to population control of insects, in particular mosquitoes such as Anopheles gambiae.