Exploratory science. Extraordinary outcomes.

Our Discovery Group is where the first cell-free CRISPR gene editing reaction was developed and published. This unprecedented cell-free gene editing system allowed researchers to control and interrogate the process of CRISPR gene editing like never before. By removing the gene editing reaction from the nucleus of the cell and allowing direct interrogation of every step of CRISPR-mediated DNA cleavage and its subsequent DNA repair mechanisms, the cell-free gene editing system provided never-before-seen clarity into gene editing reactions that can dramatically accelerate research in specific genetic diseases.

Current research within the Discovery Group utilizes this cell-free gene editing system as a platform to investigate unique and often untreated genetic diseases. We also expand the scientific field’s knowledge and understanding of DNA repair, and how different CRISPR targets can be designed to effectively target genes to alleviate diseases. We also focus on developing new tools for CRISPR gene editing, expanding the CRISPR researcher’s toolbox with novel CRISPR/Cas systems and methods.