Accessible Genome Editing in the Age of Citizen Science Ellen D. - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Accessible Genome Editing in the Age of Citizen Science

Ellen D. Jorgensen, Ph.D. Biotech Without Borders www.biotechwithoutborders.org

2nd OIE Global Conference on Biological Threat Reduction October 31-November 2, 2017 - Ottawa Canada

“Central to our mission is the belief that biotechnology and greater public understanding about it has the potential to benefit everyone”

Self-identified DIYbio practitioners

• Incorporated as Nonprofits
• BSL1 Lab Space open to public
• Mission to foster science literacy –

classes, talks , workshops

• Provide community lab space to facilitate

innovation and exploration

• Outreach programs for students and

adults

What are Community Labs?

• Secure space (keypad entry to building, lockable labs)
• Fire extinguishers, eyewash stations, personal protective

equipment

• Organisms/activities appropriate for BSL 1 (no human

pathogens)

• Consistent with NIH recombinant DNA guidelines
• Minimize hazardous chemical use
• Commercial biological and hazardous waste disposal
• Safety & equipment training for all members
• Scientific Advisory Board available for input

Safety/Security Measures

Typical Projects

• Food and Environment exploration through DNA

Barcoding

• Microbial Sampling & Microbiome analysis
• Personal genomic exploration
• Metabolic engineering of E. coli K12
• Expression of proteins in yeast
• Engineering Arabidopsis & tobacco using

Agrobacterium tumefaciens

• No human or animal pathogens

Biosecurity

• Initial meeting with NYC WMD team (FBI-FDNY-

NYPD)

• Genspace-FBI joint presentations to public
• Synbio/FBI Building Bridges
• FBI/DIYbio conferences
• WMD Basic Training
• AAAS multi-agency meetings
• Code of Ethics conference
• UN WMD Branch, Office for Disarmament Affairs
• DTRA meetings

Multi-stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the SDGs New York, 15-16 May 2017

Top Ten Technologies Impacting the UN Sustainable Development Goals

• 1. Synthetic Biology (high throughput engineering)
• 2. Improvements in DNA sequencing technologies
• 3. High capacity DNA synthesis
• 4. Chromosome building
• 5. Precise editing of DNA (e.g. CRISPR)
• 6. Cell-free systems
• 7. Metagenome and microbiome engineering
• 8. Tissue engineering (lab grown organs and

meat)

• 9. Improved imaging systems for living organisms

10.Modeling (the virtual cell)

Why is CRISPR Transformative?

• “Word processor for genomes”
• Relatively cheap and easy to use
• Universally useful tech for any process

that relies on genetic engineering

• Can be precisely targeted in genome with

ease, unlike traditional genetic engineering

• Increases the accessibility of biotech

Some Uses of CRISPR

• Repair genetic disorders (cystic fibrosis,

Huntingtons, beta thalassemia)

• Reprogram immune system cells to fight cancer

(CAR-T therapy)

• Greatly increase the speed of development in

agricultural genetic engineering (plants and animals)

• Decrease antifungal resistance
• Embryo editing
• Gene drives (engineer a species)

Why use CRISPR in Community Labs?

• Common tool to jumpstart innovation
• Educate the public about it
• Discuss the social, moral and ethical

implications of germline editing

• Engage around environmental engineering

through gene drives (altering or eliminating a species)

• Editing embryos is far above the capability
• f a community lab