Kevin Doxzen, PhD

Bacteria are under constant attack from viruses. In order to defend themselves, these microbes have evolved a unique and creative immune system that scientists have called “CRISPR.” As scientists worked to unravel and understand this intricate immune system they suddenly realized that CRISPR proteins might not only improve the health of bacteria, but also humans. Researchers have shown that a particular CRISPR protein called Cas9 could be programmed to cut any sequence of DNA. The ability to edit the genome of nearly any organism has revolutionized biology, medicine, and agriculture. From curing deadly genetic disorders to engineering drought resistant plants, CRISPR-Cas9 will reshape modern medicine and equip us with tools to cope with a changing planet. This talk will show how a simple bacterial protein went from the benchtop to the bedside and discuss how humans might use this technology for better or for worse.