Dr. Doudna spoke about her contributions to the development of CRISPR-Cas9, a revolutionary DNA-editing technology, and her lab’s ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency, affordability, and delivery of CRISPR-based gene therapies.
In her lecture, Dr. Doudna discussed the topics of:
- Origins and Mechanism of CRISPR: A bacterial immune system adapted by molecular biologists for precise DNA editing.
- Current Challenges in Gene Therapy: High costs, invasive procedures, and the need for better delivery methods.
- Scientific Innovations: Efforts to enhance CRISPR efficiency, explore new delivery vehicles like EDVs, and make therapies more accessible.
- Broader Implications: Ethical considerations, genetic diversity, and potential applications beyond gene editing.
Dr. Doudna’s highlighted her scientific achievements, her advocacy for ethical use of CRISPR, and her role in advancing biotechnology and public discussions about genome editing.