CRISPR pioneer Erik Sontheimer joins hosts Søren and AJ to discuss how curiosity-driven research revealed a powerful genome editing technology.
Their conversation looks at the landmark research that revealed how CRISPR could target DNA and the scientific discoveries that have turned it into a revolutionary research tool. Erik looks back at the “Wild West” years of early CRISPR research, the unexpected discoveries that pushed the field forward, and his decision to co-found Intellia Therapeutics.
He also explains how genome editing is progressing from so-called “genome vandalism” towards increasingly precise technologies, including base editing, prime editing, and prime assembly, allowing it to move into the clinic. Erik also considers the ethical boundaries of genome editing and the importance of scientists taking part in wider conversations about how these technologies should be used.
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In this episode
About the guest
Erik Sontheimer is the Pillar Chair in Biomedical Research and Professor at UMass Chan Medical School and Vice Chair of the RNA Therapeutics Institute. His early research helped show CRISPR could target DNA, an important step towards its use as a genome editing tool. He later co-founded Intellia Therapeutics and, alongside his academic work, advises other companies working on new approaches to genome editing.
Dose of Discovery is cohosted by Søren Hough and Ayokunmi Ajetunmobi (AJ) and produced by Suze Cooper.
Read more
CRISPR Timeline by the Broad Institute
Rewriting the genome with DNA polymerase editing by Søren Hough (Coverage of Erik Sontheimer's work)
‘Jumping genes’ may hold secret to new forms of genome editing by Søren Hough
Polymerase editing ‘clicks’ together in trailblazing study by Søren Hough
Infant treated with first in vivo CRISPR therapy by Nnenna Ohaka
‘Baby KJ’ CRISPR treatment was just the beginning by Søren Hough
Fixing what isn’t broken: CRISPR’s potential to erase biocultural diversity by Søren Hough (CRISPR ethics)
The Future of CRISPR Applications in the Lab, the Clinic and Society by Søren Hough & Ayokunmi Ajetunmobi (CRISPR ethics)
A CRISPR Moratorium Isn't Enough: We Need a Boycott by Søren Hough & Ayokunmi Ajetunmobi (CRISPR ethics)
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You can find a fully annotated transcript of the episode here.
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