I really enjoyed everyone’s chalk talks, especially because I got to learn how common methods were used quite differently in the various labs. My lab uses CRSIPR technology to perform genome editing, but I was quite interested in the research of Adam’s lab with improving ultrasensitivity in CRISPR technology.
In his chalk talk, Adam explained to us that the CRISPR technology was originally in prokaryotes and was used to cut out viral DNA. Since then, CRISPR technology is a greatly used technique that allows researchers to cut out specific parts of a model system’s genome. Adam’s research is focused on the relationship between decoy sites, binding sites, and the sensitivity of CRISPR cutting. Increasing decoy sites would increase the sensitivity. On the other hand, increasing multiple binding sites would increase repression of CRISPR. Adam’s main focus is finding the “sweet spot” in this complex relationship.
What I thought was really fascinating was that Adam’s lab was focused on improving the CRISPR technology in order to enable “on/off switches” that could instantly turn on or off gene expression. This kind of control would definitely be beneficial for cancer research by providing a way turn tumor cells off. While my lab uses CRISPR/Cas9 technology for our research, the research Adam has done is looking at ways to increase the ultrasensitivity of the actual method, which would definitely be quite useful for many areas of science!
