Bioengineering: The CRISPR-Cas9 System

Bioengineering: Future of Bioengineering

• Bioengineering is a field of study combining biological, chemical, and engineering principles.
• The field involves designing and developing innovative technologies for healthcare, agriculture, and other areas.

Bioengineering: The CRISPR-Cas9 System

• CRISPR-Cas9 is derived from natural defence mechanisms of bacteria.
• It is a powerful gene-editing tool adapted from bacteria and archaea defence mechanisms.
• CRISPR-Cas9 is faster, cheaper, more accurate, and more efficient than other editing tools.
• CRISPR-Cas9 uses a short noncoding guide RNA.
• It guides the Cas9 protein to specific genomic DNA sequences.
• Cas9 acts like molecular scissors, cutting target DNA segments.

Bioengineering: Objectives

• Discussing the mechanism of CRISPR-Cas9
• Identifying the future applications of CRISPR-Cas9

Bioengineering: The CRISPR-Cas9 System (Details)

• The DNA is a long molecule carrying an organism's unique genetic code.
• Human DNA is composed of 3.2 billion bases.
• DNA comprises of four nucleotide bases: Adenine (A), Thymine (T), Guanine (G), Cytosine (C).
• CRISPR-Cas9 was adapted from bacterial defense mechanisms.
• Cas9 is an enzyme that acts as molecular scissors capable of cutting foreign DNA strands.
• CRISPR-Cas9 is comprised of a short noncoding guide RNA (gRNA) to guide the protein Cas9 to a specific location on the DNA strand.

Bioengineering: CRISPR-Cas9 System - Mechanism

• Cas9 protein guides the gRNA genomic locus by base pairing with target DNA.
• Binding of Cas9 leads to a double-stranded DNA break.
• Cellular repair mechanisms follow the break, allowing for potentially editing the target genomic locus.

Bioengineering: CRISPR Applications

• CRISPR can be used to eliminate HIV chromosomes from DNA.
• CRISPR can be used to cure diseases involving genetic abnormalities..
• CRISPR is used to genetically alter patients' T cells to halt the production of PD-1 to combat tumor cells.

Bioengineering: CRISPR and Cancer Treatment

• As of January 2018, China treated 86 cancer patients using CRISPR technology.
• CRISPR alters patients' T cells to halt PD-1 production, helping to combat tumor cells.
• Gene-edited T cells are cultured and increased in concentration in a lab setting. Then, they are injected back into the patient.

Bioengineering: CRISPR and Genetic Diseases

• Genetic diseases are caused by abnormalities in the genetic makeup.
• Abnormalities can vary from minor mutations to large-scale chromosomal changes.
• CRISPR technology is being improved to modify even a single base in the DNA strand.

Bioengineering: Future of CRISPR

• CRISPR technology may help eliminate diseases.
• CRISPR-based treatments are currently limited to the patient.
• CRISPR is still evolving.

Bioengineering: Designer Babies

• The creation of genetically modified babies raises numerous ethical concerns.
• Some view this as unethical due to the potentially unpredictable consequences of inheritable changes.
• Germline editing is prohibited in many countries, including China.

Bioengineering: Ethical Concerns of CRISPR

• He Jiankui's experiment with "gene-edited babies" caused international controversy.
• Germline editing is considered ethically unacceptable by many.

Bioengineering: Aging

• Aging is a time-related deterioration in physiological functions necessary for survival and fertility.
• Causes include "wear and tear," small traumas, and genetic defects in DNA repair.
• Aging is responsible for approximately 55% of global deaths.

Bioengineering: Naturally Immortal Organisms

• Some organisms, like lobsters, planarians, and Turritopsis dohrnii, appear to defy aging processes.
• These organisms' abilities to rejuvenate or regenerate suggest potential pathways to better understanding of aging processes.

Bioengineering: Modified Human

• Scientists are researching ways to stop or slow biological deterioration to increase life expectancy and combat diseases.
• This includes high-energy diets, improved immunity, and space travel preparedness.

Bioengineering: Ethical Implications of Advancements

• Researchers discuss whether genetic testing for disease risk should be standard practice.
• The application of genetic technology raises ethical questions about what constitutes desirable and undesirable traits.
• North Korea is seen exploring genetic engineering for military applications.

Bioengineering: Q&A Session

• This section is allocated for answering any remaining questions on the topic of bioengineering.