Hi! We’re here to talk about all things CRISPR and NIH’s Center of Excellence in Genomic Science. We’re researchers from Jennifer Doudna’s lab at UC-Berkeley and program directors from the National Human Genome Research Institute, part of NIH. Ask us anything!

See the source article by following the link below:

The Doudna lab's research on CRISPR biology led to the 2012 discovery of the mechanism by which small RNAs direct the protein Cas9 to bind and cut specific DNA sequences within cells, thereby altering a chosen DNA sequence and changing the cells’ activity in a programmed way. This work opened up a world of possibilities by providing a simple and effective means of making targeted changes in the genomes of virtually any cell type or organism. By supporting this research, the NIH is achieving its mission to advance the promise of genomic medicine through the precise manipulation of genes at a scale and level of accuracy that is not currently realized.

The National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), part of NIH, has awarded a five-year grant to to the Doudna lab to establish the Center for Genome Editing and Recording as part of the Center of Excellence in Genomic Science (CEGS) program. The Center is pursuing two technological goals: 1) the improvement of the CRISPR technology to enable more efficient, rapid and accurate genome alterations; and 2) the implementation of robust readout technologies to quickly and accurately assess natural gene variations, as well as the success of CRISPR gene editing. In addition to work through the new Center, research efforts in the Doudna lab include discovering the mechanisms of novel Cas proteins and exploring new anti-CRISPRs which protect self DNA from CRISPR cleavage.

Our goal is to harness the power of CRISPR to benefit humankind by curing disease and caring for the environment. We’d love to hear your questions about this technology and the new Center of Excellence in Genomic Science. Ask us anything!

Your hosts today are:

Jennifer Doudna, Ph.D., Professor of Chemistry; Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of California, Berkeley and members of her lab

Lisa Brooks, Ph.D., Program Director in the Division of Genome Sciences at NHGRI

Dan Gilchrist, Ph.D., Program Director in the Division of Genome Sciences at NHGRI

Lu Wang, Ph.D., Program Director in the Division of Genome Sciences at NHGRI

Carolyn Hutter, Ph.D., acting Division Director in the Division of Genome Sciences at NHGRI

Lawrence Brody, Ph.D., Division Director in the Division of Genomics and Society at NHGRI

Relevant links:

Learn more about the Center of Excellence in Genomic Science (CEGS) program: http://ift.tt/2mMph23

Learn more about Dr. Doudna’s research: http://ift.tt/1pEUgqx

">Hi! We’re here to talk about all things CRISPR and NIH’s Center of Excellence in Genomic Science. We’re researchers from Jennifer Doudna’s lab at UC-Berkeley and program directors from the National Human Genome Research Institute, part of NIH. Ask us anything!