Jul 13, 2018
Kevin Doxzen is a science communications specialist at the Innovative Genomics Institute in Berkeley, CA, associated with Dr. Jennifer Doudna. The Institute specializes in gene editing using CRISPR/Cas.
The CRISPR/Cas system evolved as a bacterial defense against virus attack, but it has been exploited primarily to manipulate the genomes of eukaryotes. CRISPR/Cas has already revolutionized gene editing, and has led to the creation of a large number of modified animals, which has led to ethical questions about human genome manipulation.
Dr. Doxzen talks about how CRISPR/Cas evolved, the various applications that is has been used for, some of the controversies associated with its use, and its further potential to improve human health.
The microCase for listeners to solve is about Nigel Tufnel, an aging rocker with a wild lifestyle who comes down with a life-threatening disease after going fishing in the Gulf of Mexico.
Participants:
Karl Klose, Ph.D. (UTSA)
Kevin Doxzen, Ph.D. (Innovative Genomics Institute/U.C.
Berkeley)
Janakiram Seshu, Ph.D. (UTSA)
Jesus Romo (UTSA)