The Gene Editing Research Lab — a new classroom-based research experience at UC Merced

The ability to directly edit genetic sequences with technology like CRISPR/Cas has revolutionized the biological sciences. We have developed a Course-based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) that will give students hands-on experience with gene editing techniques that, in a short time, have become standard in biology and biomedical research. Our course introduces students to discovery-based research. Students will learn how to design, execute, and assess gene editing strategies and create unique, user-defined changes in target genes. We recruited 6 undergraduate students for our research team for a trial run in the fall semester of 2021. Each student was assigned one gene and designed and executed a CRISPR-based knock-in strategy for each gene. To accommodate their experience level, we held lectures covering fundamental concepts related to the project such as CRISPR/Cas9, DNA repair, and recombinant DNA technology. We also held structured training demonstrations of the protocols to be used in their research — with surprising success: we are currently in the process of identifying germline transmission for 4 of the initially targeted 6 genes. In addition to their lab work, the students were also encouraged to develop their presentation and scientific communication skills; all 6 students presented their work at an end-of-semester symposium attended by members of the Woo and Materna labs and others in our department. Two students presented posters on their work at the annual SACNAS conference in October 2021, and two students presented a poster describing this project at the annual Quantitative and Systems Biology retreat at UC Merced. We hope to provide more opportunities for research participation especially for underrepresented minorities and help increase scientific literacy and critical thinking — in line with the "Vision and Change" (AAAS) recommendations for biology education. Our new course proposal was recently approved by UC Merced and will be offered starting Fall semester 2023.Gloria Denise Ligunas, Graduate Student, UC Merce