December 5, 2017

The CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technology – a breakthrough for new developments in medicine

Since the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technology was first described, it has taken the world by storm. Simple in its design, close to a plug-and-play method, which can therefore be easily leveraged for a large variety of gene targeting, it holds great promise for future biotechnical and biomedical applications, including the generation of transgenic animals, genetic modification of various cells and organisms, and genetic modification of plants and crops. In only five years, CRISPR/Cas9 has developed into one of the most dynamic and fast-moving fields in life sciences.

Various biotechnology companies have been founded during the past years to develop the technology for the treatment of serious human genetic disorders, with probably many more to come. The technology has likewise sparked interest in the pharmaceutical industry and in biotech – not only to leverage its potential for greatly simplified biomanufacturing and screenings, but also to apply the technology to the potential

Speaker:

Prof Emmanuelle Charpentier, is a French microbiologist, geneticist and biochemist. She is Scientific Member of the Max Planck Society, Max Planck Director, Honorary Professor at Humboldt University and recipient of an Alexander von Humboldt Professor in Germany. She is also Visiting Professor at the Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden, Umeå University, Sweden. Emmanuelle has recently been recognized for her innovative research that laid the foundation for the ground-breaking CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technology. She has received numerous prestigious international awards and distinctions and is an elected member of national and international academies. She is co-founder of CRISPR Therapeutics and ERS Genomics.