We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us
LGC Clinical Diagnostics

Download Mobile App





Keynote Address to Focus on CRISPR/Cas9 Gene Editing

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 08 Jun 2017
The widely used CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technique is to be the subject of the keynote address of the plenary sessions of the July 30 - August 3, 2017, AACC Annual Meeting & Clinical Lab Expo (San Diego, CA, USA).

The featured speaker will be Dr. More...
Jennifer Doudna, professor of chemistry and molecular and cell biology at the University of California, Berkeley (USA). The title of her presentation is "CRISPR Biology, Technology & Ethics: The Future of Genome Engineering". This presentation will describe how the bacterial CRISPR adaptive immune system continues to inspire development of powerful genome engineering tools, enabling advances in both fundamental biology and applications to the mammalian brain.

CRISPR/Cas9 is regarded as the cutting edge of molecular biology technology. CRISPRs (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) are segments of prokaryotic DNA containing short repetitions of base sequences. Each repetition is followed by short segments of "spacer DNA" from previous exposures to a bacterial virus or plasmid. CRISPRs are found in approximately 40% of sequenced bacteria genomes and 90% of sequenced archaea. CRISPRs are often associated with cas genes that code for proteins related to CRISPRs.

Since 2013, the CRISPR/Cas system has been used in research for gene editing (adding, disrupting, or changing the sequence of specific genes) and gene regulation. By delivering the Cas9 enzyme and appropriate guide RNAs into a cell, the organism's genome can be cut at any desired location. The conventional CRISPR/Cas9 system is composed of two parts: the Cas9 enzyme, which cleaves the DNA molecule and specific RNA guides (CRISPRs) that shepherd the Cas9 protein to the target gene on a DNA strand.

The ethics of CRSPR/Cas9 were discussed by a panel of experts, and their remarks were published in the October 2016 issue of the journal Clinical Chemistry. The panelists cautioned that making the methodology cheap and easy enough for poorly funded amateurs could have vast effects by making it harder for anyone to control. They also warned about the potential consequences of off-target effects, including lack of specificity and incomplete targeting, which could have devastating effects on patients.

On the other hand, they suggested that when CRISPR technology becomes completely safe and effective, it could be used to edit somatic cells of people or fetuses and embryos to prevent heritable diseases, even to edit the germline to prevent any future transmission of heritable diseases.

The importance of the future role of CRISPR/Cas9 is underlined by the choice to make this technology the topic of this year's keynote address.

Related Links:
AACC Annual Meeting & Clinical Lab Expo
University of California, Berkeley

Gold Member
Veterinary Hematology Analyzer
Exigo H400
3-Part Differential Hematology Analyzer
Swelab Alfa Plus Sampler
New
Varicella Zoster Test
ZEUS ELISA Varicella Zoster IgG Test System
New
STI Test
REALQUALITY RQ-SevenSTI
Read the full article by registering today, it's FREE! It's Free!
Register now for FREE to LabMedica.com and get access to news and events that shape the world of Clinical Laboratory Medicine.
  • Free digital version edition of LabMedica International sent by email on regular basis
  • Free print version of LabMedica International magazine (available only outside USA and Canada).
  • Free and unlimited access to back issues of LabMedica International in digital format
  • Free LabMedica International Newsletter sent every week containing the latest news
  • Free breaking news sent via email
  • Free access to Events Calendar
  • Free access to LinkXpress new product services
  • REGISTRATION IS FREE AND EASY!
Click here to Register








Channels

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: Non-coding RNAs CBR3-AS1 and PCA3 can be utilized as therapeutic targets and prognostic biomarkers in gastric cancer (Photo courtesy of Adobe Stock)

Promising Molecular Markers Support Earlier Diagnosis of Gastric Cancer

Late detection continues to make gastric cancer one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths globally. With improved early detection tools urgently needed, researchers have now identified two long... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: CitoCBC is the world first cartridge-based CBC to be granted CLIA Waived status by FDA (Photo courtesy of CytoChip)

Disposable Cartridge-Based Test Delivers Rapid and Accurate CBC Results

Complete Blood Count (CBC) is one of the most commonly ordered lab tests, crucial for diagnosing diseases, monitoring therapies, and conducting routine health screenings. However, more than 90% of physician... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: The tip optofluidic immunoassay platform enables rapid, multiplexed antibody profiling using only 1 μL of fingertip blood (Photo courtesy of hLife, DOI:10.1016/j.hlife.2025.04.005)

POC Diagnostic Platform Performs Immune Analysis Using One Drop of Fingertip Blood

As new COVID-19 variants continue to emerge and individuals accumulate complex histories of vaccination and infection, there is an urgent need for diagnostic tools that can quickly and accurately assess... Read more

Pathology

view channel
Image: The new technology combines a rapid hemoglobin test with a smartphone app (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Smartphone-Based Rapid Hemoglobin Test Accurately Detects Colorectal Cancer

Despite the availability of colorectal cancer screening programs, participation remains low, especially for fecal immunochemical tests (FIT), a non-invasive method to detect hidden blood in the stool.... Read more

Technology

view channel
Image: The machine learning-based method delivers near-perfect survival estimates for PAC patients (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

AI Method Predicts Overall Survival Rate of Prostate Cancer Patients

Prostate adenocarcinoma (PAC) accounts for 99% of prostate cancer diagnoses and is the second most common cancer in men globally after skin cancer. With more than 3.3 million men in the United States diagnosed... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.