A look back at our some of our most exciting news stories and new resources you don't want to miss!
1. Getting the go-ahead for a ground-breaking clinical trial
It has been just under 10 years since CRISPR genome editing was developed, and now our first clinical trial using CRISPR to directly correct the genetic defect that causes sickle cell disease has gotten FDA approval and funding! This trial is a joint, non-profit effort between UC partners at IGI, UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital, and the UCLA Broad Stem Cell Research Center.
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2. Copying viruses to sneak into cells
Viruses are smart at getting inside cells. Jennifer Hamilton, Connor Tsuchida, and other IGI researchers from the labs of Jennifer Doudna and Alex Marson made virus-like particles that use virus tricks to deliver CRISPR into specific kinds of cells.
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3. Discovering mysterious DNA elements
In methane-eating bacteria deep in the mud, Basem Al-Shayeb, Marie Schoelmerich, and the Banfield lab team found mysterious DNA elements that they call “Borgs,” named for their assimilation of DNA from different organisms.
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4. Building a better potato
Imtiyaz Khanday, our 2021 SKCF Faculty Scholar, is figuring out how to grow potatoes clonally from seed to cut down on food waste, prevent pathogens, and improve the lives of potato farmers. We’ll have fries with that.
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5. Our kid-friendly primer on DNA, genes & gene editing
CRISPR Made Simple is our latest educational resource, introducing complex topics in an approachable way to anyone starting from scratch. These vibrant illustrations by Philippa Steinberg are free for noncommercial use! Explore > 
6. Building novel diagnostics at the IGI Clinical Lab
This year, we spun our COVID-19 diagnostic testing lab into a fully operational, CLIA-certified and CAP-accredited clinical lab. Next up: creating companion diagnostic tools for the UC consortium sickle cell disease clinical trial.
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7. Welcoming our first Tory Burch Fellow, Nabiha Saklayen
Saklayen’s vision is to use high-speed laser editing to create personalized therapies. Watch her TED talk to learn more.
8. Expanding our illustrated scientific glossary — in English & en Español!
These fun illustrations by Christine Liu are free for non-commercial use. And check out the Spanish language version!
9. Editing microbes in a community
In labs, microbes are grown one by one. But in nature — and your body — they grow in complex communities. Spencer Diamond, Brady Cress, Ben Rubin, and other researchers from the Doudna and Banfield labs have developed a new approach to editing microbes directly in the communities they grow in.
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10. Launching a new climate research project
Thanks to a generous gift, we’ve kicked off four new climate research projects aiming at creating a net-zero-carbon farm that can grow crops with less farmer inputs and less greenhouse gas outputs. We aim to use crop plants and microbes to capture and store carbon from the atmosphere.
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