Toward genetic biocontrol of invasive mammalian pests

Introduced mammalian pests pose severe threats to biodiversity, economic enterprise, and both livestock and human health. Conventional management methods such as toxic baiting, shooting, and trapping are often costly, ineffective or impractical, have unacceptable impacts on off-target species, and can raise ethical concerns due to mechanisms of lethality. Genetic biocontrols, wherein pest animal genomes are manipulated to impact normal reproduction, offer potential alternatives that are species-specific, and in the case of synthetic gene drive, highly efficient due to mechanisms that cause biased inheritance of the engineered elements. Here we present a framework and research pipeline to accelerate development of genetic biocontrol for invasive mammals in Australia, with a focus on three of the most notoriously harmful invasive species: house mice, rabbits, and feral cats. We discuss recent translational experiments aimed at progressing a laboratory proof-of-concept gene drive to a deployable tool for managing mice on oceanic islands. We also summarise key enabling research to establish more efficient genome engineering approaches and carry out genetic biocontrol feasibility assessments in rabbits. Third, we introduce initiatives to build new genomic resources to kickstart genetic biocontrol technologies for more challenging and high priority species including feral cats. Each of these research programs provides unique insights that are progressing the realisation of genetic biocontrols as critical new tools for mitigating the devastating impacts of these species in Australia.