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Models to examine containment and spread of genetically engineered microbes
Author(s) -
LEWIS M. A.,
SCHMITZ G.,
KAREIVA P.,
TREVORS J. T.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
molecular ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.619
H-Index - 225
eISSN - 1365-294X
pISSN - 0962-1083
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-294x.1996.00228.x
Subject(s) - biology , containment (computer programming) , genetically engineered , genetically modified organism , microbiology and biotechnology , computational biology , evolutionary biology , biochemical engineering , genetics , gene , engineering , computer science , programming language
Genetically engineered microbes (GEMs) have the potential to revolutionize agricultural techniques by facilitating crop protection and increased productivity. However, there has been widespread concern regarding the potential impact these microbes may have on the environment. Here we mathematically model the dynamics of GEMs in an agricultural setting, focusing on parameters that can be used to summarize the potential of modified microbes for persistence and spread. First developing a comprehensive model for the dynamics of GEMs which includes mobile and stationary classes of GEMs as well as competition from indigenous microflora, we then analyse a sequence of simplified mathematical models with a view to answering two fundamental questions: (1) will the GEMs spread (or invade), and if so how quickly? and (2) what are the best strategies for containing the spread of GEMs in a spatially varying environment?