Utilizing Cas9 (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats Associated Protein 9) as a Genetic Engineering Method to Treat Pulmonary Epithelial Cells from Individuals with Cystic Fibrosis
Department
Chemical and Biochemical Engineering
Major
Chemical Engineering with Biochemical Engineering Emphasis
Research Advisor
Westenberg, David J.
Shannon, Katie
Advisor's Department
Biological Sciences
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder primarily caused by deletion of three nucleotides within the gene encoding for the ion channel protein CFTR which allows for the passage of chloride ions across epithelial cell membranes classified as delta-F508. Individuals with CF have shorter life expectancies predominantly due to complications in the respiratory system by the thinning of airway surface liquid (ASL) where chronic infections occur along with cardiopulmonary structural damage. Recently genetic engineering has leaped forward with the advancement of Cas9, a prokaryotic immune defense mechanism against bacteriophages, an RNA-guided DNA endonuclease enzyme. My project goal is to produce and embed CFTR within the membranes of cultured CF respiratory epithelial cells. This requires genetically engineering a guide RNA for Cas9 to target and remove delta-F508 while simultaneously inserting a functional CFTR DNA sequence. Optimistically, pulmonary CFTR expression by Cas9 will be used as a medical treatment for CF patients.
Biography
Matthew Howerton is a sophomore with the goal of entering graduate school to obtain his Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering. His motivation to treat cystic fibrosis originates from the memory of his unforgettable and loving cousin, Rebecca Shively.
Research Category
Research Proposals
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Document Type
Poster
Location
Upper Atrium/Hall
Presentation Date
15 Apr 2015, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Utilizing Cas9 (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats Associated Protein 9) as a Genetic Engineering Method to Treat Pulmonary Epithelial Cells from Individuals with Cystic Fibrosis
Upper Atrium/Hall
Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder primarily caused by deletion of three nucleotides within the gene encoding for the ion channel protein CFTR which allows for the passage of chloride ions across epithelial cell membranes classified as delta-F508. Individuals with CF have shorter life expectancies predominantly due to complications in the respiratory system by the thinning of airway surface liquid (ASL) where chronic infections occur along with cardiopulmonary structural damage. Recently genetic engineering has leaped forward with the advancement of Cas9, a prokaryotic immune defense mechanism against bacteriophages, an RNA-guided DNA endonuclease enzyme. My project goal is to produce and embed CFTR within the membranes of cultured CF respiratory epithelial cells. This requires genetically engineering a guide RNA for Cas9 to target and remove delta-F508 while simultaneously inserting a functional CFTR DNA sequence. Optimistically, pulmonary CFTR expression by Cas9 will be used as a medical treatment for CF patients.
