CRISPR’s 'Wild West': Erik Sontheimer on the evolution of genome editing

CRISPR pioneer Erik Sontheimer joins hosts Søren and AJ to discuss how curiosity-driven research revealed a powerful genome editing technology.Their conversation looks at the landmark research that revealed how CRISPR could target DNA and the scientific discoveries that have turned it into a revolutionary research tool. Erik looks back at the “Wild West” years of early CRISPR research, the unexpected discoveries that pushed the field forward, and his decision to co-found Intellia Therapeutics. He also explains how genome editing is progressing from so-called “genome vandalism” towards increasingly precise technologies, including base editing, prime editing, and prime assembly, allowing it to move into the clinic. Erik also considers the ethical boundaries of genome editing and the importance of scientists taking part in wider conversations about how these technologies should be used.You can check out the podcast on Spotify, Apple, Amazon, or by importing our RSS feed into your app of choice. You can also scan the QR code below to pull the podcast up directly on your phone:In this episode03:38 – Explainer: What is CRISPR?06:36 – The 2008 paper that hinted at CRISPR’s potential10:55 – How Erik started working on CRISPR18:50 – The “Wild West” of early CRISPR research26:57 – Career moves and finding two academic posts32:51 – Co-founding Intellia Therapeutics41:36 – Has CRISPR lived up to the hype?44:38 – From gene cutting to precision editing46:24 – Base editing, prime editing and prime assembly51:05 – The ethics of genome editing56:04 – Wrap-up and key takeawaysAbout the guestErik Sontheimer is the Pillar Chair in Biomedical Research and Professor at UMass Chan Medical School and Vice Chair of the RNA Therapeutics Institute. His early research helped show CRISPR could target DNA, an important step towards its use as a genome editing tool. He later co-founded Intellia Therapeutics and, alongside his academic work, advises other companies working on new approaches to genome editing.Dose of Discovery is cohosted by Søren Hough and Ayokunmi Ajetunmobi (AJ) and produced by Suze Cooper.Read moreCRISPR Timeline by the Broad InstituteRewriting the genome with DNA polymerase editing by Søren Hough (Coverage of Erik Sontheimer's work)‘Jumping genes’ may hold secret to new forms of genome editing by Søren HoughPolymerase editing ‘clicks’ together in trailblazing study by Søren HoughInfant treated with first in vivo CRISPR therapy by Nnenna Ohaka‘Baby KJ’ CRISPR treatment was just the beginning by Søren HoughFixing what isn’t broken: CRISPR’s potential to erase biocultural diversity by Søren Hough (CRISPR ethics)The Future of CRISPR Applications in the Lab, the Clinic and Society by Søren Hough & Ayokunmi Ajetunmobi (CRISPR ethics)A CRISPR Moratorium Isn't Enough: We Need a Boycott by Søren Hough & Ayokunmi Ajetunmobi (CRISPR ethics)Read more at Bioxconomy, sign up to our newsletter, and don’t forget to check out our upcoming events.You can find a fully annotated transcript of the episode here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.