The DNA Edit: Modern Genomic Solutions

Data

Official data in SubjectManager for the following academic year: 2026-2027

Topic

Have you ever wondered how we could rewrite the "code of life" to solve incurable diseases? This course invites students into the world of Precision Gene Editing, moving beyond basic biology into the future of medicine. Instead of just memorizing enzymes, we will interactively explore how the latest CRISPR "tools" act like high-tech molecular erasers and pencils.

We focus on the stories of discovery: from how a bacterial immune system became a Nobel Prize-winning medical tool, to the current global efforts to cure genetic blindness and blood disorders. Classes are designed to be discussion-heavy, featuring real-world case studies and group-based brainstorming on the ethical frontiers of "designing" our future.

Lectures

• 1. The Origin Story: How a humble bacterial defense system changed medicine forever. - Zand Afshin
• 2. The New Toolkit (Cas12 & 14): Exploring the "smaller and stickier" alternatives to classic CRISPR. - Zand Afshin
• 3. The RNA Sniper (Cas13): How we can treat viruses without touching our permanent DNA. - Zand Afshin
• 4. The Molecular Eraser: A deep dive into Base Editing—changing single letters without breaking the code. - Zand Afshin
• 5. Search & Replace: Understanding Prime Editing as the "ultimate word processor" for genomes. - Zand Afshin
• 6. The Delivery Challenge: How do we actually get these tools into a human eye or liver? - Zand Afshin
• 7. Smart Diagnostics: Using CRISPR on a paper strip to detect diseases in minutes (The "Sherlock" method). - Nancy Zeineddine
• 8. The Universal Cell: Engineering the "all-in-one" CAR-T cell to fight cancer more effectively. - Nancy Zeineddine
• 9. Beyond the Nucleus: Can we edit the "Mother's DNA" in our mitochondria? - Nancy Zeineddine
• 10. The Ethics of Tomorrow: A Group Debate on germline editing and our responsibility to future generations. - Nancy Zeineddine
• 11. Future Horizons: DNA as a hard drive—storing our digital world in biological code. - Nancy Zeineddine
• 12. Brainstorming & Vision: A Collaborative Summary where students pitch their own "Cure of the Future." - Nancy Zeineddine

Practices

Seminars

Reading material

Obligatory literature

Literature developed by the Department

Course materials consist of weekly presentation slides covering molecular mechanisms, protein-DNA interactions, and clinical protocols. These are supplemented by curated "Fact Sheets" for each Cas enzyme.Additionally, a "Curriculum Question Bank" consisting of 25 comprehensive questions will be distributed at the start of the semester to guide self-study and provide the basis for both the "Group-Pulse" interactive activity and the final written assessment.

Notes

Recommended literature

The CRISPR Journal. Monthly highlights on clinical applications in oncology and rare genetic disorders.

Conditions for acceptance of the semester

One assignment at the end of the course

Mid-term exams

It's not required

Making up for missed classes

Not possible

Exam topics/questions

I. Logic: The "Why" Behind the Tools

Why is the "sticky-end" cut of Cas12a considered superior to the "blunt" cut of Cas9 for inserting new genes?

What is the logical reason for searching for smaller enzymes like Cas14 in nature?

How does "nicking" a single strand of DNA trick the cell into a more precise repair than breaking both strands?

Why do we need "PAM-less" variants if we want to treat any genetic disease in the human genome?

What is the logic behind using a "Dead Cas9" (dCas9) if it can no longer cut DNA?

II. Application: Real-World Medical Scenarios

In treating a lung infection, why is targeting RNA (Cas13) safer than targeting the host DNA?

Which CRISPR tool would you choose to fix a single-letter mutation in a non-dividing brain cell, and why?

How can gene editing be used to create "Universal" CAR-T cells that work for any patient?

How is CRISPR being applied to "Onco-fertility" to protect the genetic health of cancer patients?

Describe a scenario where "Epigenetic Editing" is better than permanent gene deletion.

III. Mechanism: How it Works

Explain the role of the "Deaminase" enzyme in the Base Editing fusion protein.

How does Prime Editing act as a "Search and Replace" tool without requiring a double-strand break?

What is the function of the "Uracil Glycosylase Inhibitor" (UGI) in a Cytidine Base Editor?

Describe how a Lipid Nanoparticle (LNP) "opens the door" to a human cell to deliver CRISPR machinery.

How does the "Collateral Cleavage" mechanism of Cas13 work once it finds its target?

IV. Diagnostics: The "Sherlock" Method

Why is a CRISPR-based diagnostic test faster than a traditional PCR test during a pandemic?

How can Cas12 or Cas13 be used to create a color-changing paper strip for disease detection?

What makes "Multiplexing" (detecting many viruses at once) possible with CRISPR tools?

How does the "Signal Amplification" in CRISPR diagnostics allow us to find tiny amounts of a virus?

Why are CRISPR diagnostics considered a "Green Biotech" solution for remote areas with no labs?

V. Ethics: The Responsibility of Innovation

What is the ethical difference between "Somatic" editing (one person) and "Germline" editing (future generations)?

Should we use "Gene Drives" to eliminate malaria-carrying mosquitoes if it might disrupt the ecosystem?

Who should own the patents for "The Code of Life" – the discoverers or the public?

How do we prevent "Genetic Inequality" if these therapies are only available in wealthy countries?

Is "Enhancement" (making someone stronger/smarter) ethically distinct from "Curing" a disease?

Examiners

Instructor / tutor of practices and seminars