【2021 Winter Vacation + Christmas】Advanced Customized Research Project on CRISPR Gene Editing 爱博物   

【Project Introduction】
John Schimenti, a geneticist at Cornell University, once said that since entering the hall of science, he has personally witnessed two major technological advancements: PCR technology and CRISPR gene editing technology.

PCR technology, a gene amplification technique developed in 1985, revolutionized genetic engineering. The emergence of CRISPR technology will bring even more profound changes to the development of life sciences.

As a leading gene editing technology, CRISPR/Cas9 is considered the most efficient and convenient method for editing genes in living cells, enabling the knockout, insertion, or modification of specific DNA segments. Continuously advancing gene editing technologies hold the potential to eliminate human diseases, create more resilient plants, or eradicate pathogens.

▲Zebrafish, as a model organism, hold significant research value in gene editing experiments.

During the 2020 Christmas period, under the guidance of frontline research experts from BGI, participants will have the opportunity to intuitively learn and understand this groundbreaking technology.

BGI scientists have used gene editing techniques to make zebrafish hearts specifically express red fluorescent protein and muscles specifically express green fluorescent protein. These two strains of zebrafish are highly valuable for establishing related disease models and developmental biology models in zebrafish.

▲Gene-edited juvenile zebrafish with red fluorescent hearts

▲Gene-edited juvenile zebrafish with green fluorescent muscles

In this customized research project, participants will not only learn about the latest advancements in CRISPR technology but will also personally apply CRISPR technology under the guidance of BGI’s frontline research experts. Through hands-on gene editing operations, they will gain an intuitive understanding of this revolutionary technology, thereby developing a scientific mindset, mastering scientific working methods, and laying the foundation for future in-depth learning and their own research projects.

▲Microinjection is the most challenging and precise experimental operation in gene editing experiments.

【Project Duration】December 21–27, 2021
                                    January 22–28, 2022

【Number of Participants】Due to the cutting-edge nature of gene editing technology, the requirements for experimental platforms and mentors are exceptionally high. This project is an advanced exclusive customized program, with only 5 spots available to the public.

【Project Location】National Ocean GeneBank, Qingdao, China

The National Ocean GeneBank is a comprehensive gene bank integrating the collection of marine biological resources and the digitization of marine life. It is currently the only comprehensive national ocean gene bank under construction in the world. Its synthesis and editing platform features both software and hardware capabilities at the most advanced international level.

▲National Ocean GeneBank

【Introduction to the Teaching Team】

Liu Shanshan

Executive Director of Qingdao BGI Research Institute, Deputy Director of the Marine Research Institute at Shenzhen BGI Life Science Research Institute. She has published over ten papers in journals such as Nature Genetics and co-authored two monographs, Introduction to Marine Genomics and Economic Fish Species of China.

Li Hanbo

Head of the Gene Synthesis and Editing Platform at the National Ocean GeneBank, Ph.D. from Auburn University, USA. He is engaged in research related to aquatic breeding and fish genetic engineering, including the use of endogenous editing to cultivate new strains of aquatic organisms with advantageous traits.

【Outstanding Student Contributions from Previous Projects】

Ji Zi’ao, as a participant in the first CRISPR gene editing research project, successfully completed all research tasks during the 2018 Christmas period and summarized his learning experience. Click the link below to read his contribution.

Ji Zi’ao’s Review of the Gene Editing Project | Holding "God’s Scalpel"

For more details, please consult the course advisors at IBOWU.

Course Advisors:

Teacher Zhang: 13910908618 (WeChat ID same as phone number)
Teacher Wang: 18310500612 (WeChat ID same as phone number)
Teacher Cha: 13910312020 (WeChat ID same as phone number)

About IBOWU · JSR Academy

JSR Academy™ is China’s first youth science academy initiated by non-governmental forces. It was launched by IBOWU, a well-known platform in China for providing scientific research and academic projects for teenagers. 

The academy aims to offer high-quality scientific practice platforms for Chinese youth. IBOWU has received investments from BGI, TAL Education Group, and Poly Group. With strong scientific and capital backing, it has gathered dozens of multidisciplinary frontline scientists and partnered with dozens of university and research laboratory resources across China, the United States, Denmark, Norway, Singapore, Australia, and other countries. It is committed to providing students with advanced STEM academic programs and elite training plans, striving to cultivate a scientific spirit among Chinese youth and reserve talent for China and the global scientific community.