Evolutionary responses to meiotic drive

Meiotic drivers are selfish genetic elements that disrupt normal gamete production. We are studying sex-ratio (SR) an X-linked drive system in stalk-eyed flies. SR gains a transmission advantage through the destruction of Y-bearing sperm, but causes a deficit in the fertility of carrier males, as half their sperm are lost. You will investigate: a) whether drive cause population extinction, b) adaptive and maladaptive genomic changes in the drive chromosome, and c) develop theory to explain the frequency of meiotic drive in natural populations. The results will be used to assess "gene drive" technology for vector control.