Dr. George Church is a trailblazer in genetics, known for his contributions to the Human Genome Project and gene editing. In this conversation, he shares revolutionary ideas on rewriting genomes to combat diseases and aging. He discusses the potential of CRISPR technology and highlights innovations like the Vertebrate Genomes Project and AI tools like AlphaFold. Church also addresses ethical concerns in germline editing and explores fascinating concepts such as de-extinction and engineered organs for transplantation, reshaping our health and future.
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Human Genome Project Origins
Dr. Church's involvement in the Human Genome Project began with RNA sequencing and evolved to DNA sequencing under Wally Gilbert's mentorship.
Early discussions focused on a reference genome, leading to funding from the Department of Energy and later the NIH, despite debates about cost-cutting and technology development.
insights INSIGHT
Biology's Manufacturing Potential
Biology offers atomic precision and scalability, unlike current manufacturing processes.
It utilizes diverse chemical bonds and can replicate, potentially enabling hybrid devices with electronics.
insights INSIGHT
Writing Genomes for Understanding
Writing genomes helps us understand their function, similar to reverse-engineering software.
Changing or removing parts reveals their role, like identifying glucose-handling mechanisms.
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George Church, Ph.D. is a professor of genetics at Harvard Medical School and of health sciences and technology at both Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dr. Church played an instrumental role in the Human Genome Project and is widely recognized as one of the premier scientists in the fields of gene editing technology and synthetic biology.
In this episode, we discuss:
(00:00) Introduction to Dr. George Church
(07:13) History of the Human Genome Project
(15:20) Manufacturing cell phones (with biology)
(17:34) Genome Project-Write
(20:03) Writing a human Y chromosome (from scratch)
(20:48) What if you could eliminate viral disease?
(22:51) De-extinction and reinstating lost traits and genes
(27:06) The Vertebrate Genomes Project
(29:47) AlphaFold and other AI tools
(41:27) CRISPR vs. Base Editing (emerging tools of genetic engineering)
(49:40) Why multiplex editing will change the world
(52:18) Molecular flight recorder
(53:31) Preventing viral spillover and enhancing livestock
(57:40) PCSK9 gene therapy for cholesterol
(1:00:30) Is aging an evolved program?
(1:05:21) Treating aging with a combination gene treatment
(1:09:04) Does animal research help us understand human aging?
(1:11:40) Human organoids as a model and therapeutic
(1:13:34) Could engineered transplant organs become better than the originals?
(1:16:17) Embryo editing controversy
(1:28:41) Gene editing for space travel
(1:30:40) Can synthetic biology alleviate poverty?
(1:34:07) Is in vitro fertilization and embryo selection practically similar to editing?
(1:39:12) The occasional cost of brilliance
(1:45:45) Eradicating disease with Gene Drive
(1:48:55) Technologies to solve Lyme disease
(1:51:57) Dr. Church's experience with narcolepsy as a bridge to creative insights
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