Speakers

Thursday 22nd November

9:00 am Keynote address by Sally Box (30 mins), the Threatened Species Commissioner

9:30 am Plenary by Philipp Messer (50 mins): 'Can CRISPR gene drives spread in the wild?'

10:20 am Gene drive research talks on insects

Charles Robin (20 mins) Drosophila

Morning tea (10:40–11:00 am)

11:00 am Gene drive and conservation research: mammals

James Russell (25 mins) 'Ecological filters to invasive rat establishment on islands'

Paul Thomas (25 mins) ‘Hype or hope: safe development of CRISPR gene drives in rodents’

Dan Tompkins (25 mins) 'IUCN assessment of synthetic biology and biodiversity'

12:15 pm Potential of gene drive technology in invasive species management

Caitlin Cooper (35 mins) - for Mark Tizard of Australian Animal Health Lab, CSIRO.

Lunch (12:50–1:50pm)

1:50 pm Gene drive modeling

Thomas Prowse (25 mins) 'Engineered gene drives for suppressing or eradicating vertebrate pest populations'

2:15 pm Risk Assessment of gene drives

Keith Hayes (40 mins) - CSIRO Biosecurity Flagship

Afternoon tea (2:55–3:15 pm)

3:15 pm Discussion of gene drive risks and safeguards in practice

FACILITATED DISCUSSION – led by Keith Hayes (75 mins)

Extrinsic confinement methods in practice

Barrier confinement

Ecological confinement

Intrinsic confinement methods in practice

Reproductive confinement

Molecular confinement

23rd November 2018

9:00 am Information sharing between groups

FACILITATED DISCUSSION – led by Phill Cassey (60 mins)

10:00 am Identification of experiments and data needed to get to field trial

FACILITATED DISCUSSION – led by Paul Thomas (60 mins)

Morning tea (11:00–11:20 am)

11:20 am Regulatory engagement

Owain Edwards (20 mins) ‘Proactive engagement of Australia regulators in gene drive technology development’

Peter Thygesen (20 mins) 'Regulatory Framework and risk assessment for GMOs'

FACILITATED DISCUSSION – led by Peter Thygesen (40 mins)

Lunch (12:40–1:40 pm)

1:40 pm Stakeholder and community engagement

Margaret Byrne (20 mins) - Executive Director, Biodiversity and Conservation Science, WA Dept of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions)

Rachel Ankeny (20 mins) 'Gene drives and multiple publics: novel approaches to engagement'

FACILITATED DISCUSSION – led by Rachel Ankeny (40 mins)

Afternoon tea (3:00–3:15 pm)

3:15 pm Australasian working group

Facilitated discussion about future direction and issues. Expressions of interest for an Australasian gene drive working group to continue to inform regulators and shape engagement strategies.