The Importance of Using CRISPR to Generate Hypotheses

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Knowing better what changes are going to impact the disease process will be central to making better therapies. CRISPR type tools that let us make these changes, either in cells or increasingly in animal models, mice, but even in more sophisticated models like non-human primates is an important part. Drug targets that are validated by human genetics have an enormous advantage over ones that are just based on work we do in a dish or in an animal model. But for the time being there's going to be an important role for small molecules and protein drugs.

We are very excited to be joined today by one of the world’s leaders in scientific and biological research, Dr. Jonathan Weissman. After a breakdown of Jonathan’s professional background, we dive into CRISPR and how the genetic engineering tool can be used for drug development, disease discovery, and as a therapeutic treatment of its own. You’ll learn how our guest is using CRISPR in his lab and some of the solutions that he and his team have come up with for protein misfolding. Jonathan explains how his work has evolved beyond cancer, why he’s a fan of ex vivo lung perfusions (EVLPs), what needs to be done to bring new therapies and technologies to market quicker, and why he believes that there is no better time to be a young scientist than right now!

“It’s an incredibly exciting time. Our fundamental understanding of biology, of who we are and where we came from is changing dramatically.” — Dr. Jonathan Weissman

Key Points From This Episode:

Introducing Dr. Jonathan Weissman and his professional background.
The idea of programmable medicine and how CRISPR fits into drug development.
Exploring the benefits and drawbacks of using CRISPR tools.
How Jonathan has been implementing CRISPR in his lab.
Why he thinks that his work is an important biological development.
CRISPR as both a tool for discovery and a therapeutic treatment of its own.
Our guest explains how we’ve evolved even beyond cancer.
Some of the problems of protein misfolding (and Jonathan’s solutions).
Taking a look at CRISPR delivery methods and how he sees these processes evolving.
The ins and outs of EVLPs and why our guest is excited by this topic.
What needs to be done to reduce the time to market for new therapies and technologies.
Why scientific outreach is important and why it’s an exciting time to be a young scientist.
Jonathan’s advice for future science leaders.