CRISPR is a bacterial adaptive immune responsive against invading viruses consisting of endonuclease Cas9 and two guide RNAs known as sgRNAs. Its application can cause mutations and, with proper manipulation, edit the genome of organisms, which has been demonstrated in a variety of organisms. However, CRISPR technology has not been tested in sea urchins. We investigated CRISPR genome editing efficiency in S. purpuratus, and further used its application to study the novel enzyme deaminase. CRISPR showed to have a net efficiency of GFP reporter knockdown. Thus, CRISPR is effective in sea urchins although its full potential has not been achieved. We next explored the genome editing efficiency of novel enzyme deaminase by fusing it with Cas9. If effective, this would cause the urchin genome to be edited at a single nucleotide level from C->T. Early testing of this enzyme has shown to be slightly effective, although experiments to test its efficiency are still being conducted.
Shevidi, Saba,
"CRISPR genome editing in sea urchins"
(2015).
Summer Research Symposium.
Brown Digital Repository. Brown University Library.
https://doi.org/10.26300/c60z-2e44
Each year, Brown University showcases the research of its undergraduates at the Summer Research Symposium. More than half of the student-researchers are UTRA recipients, while others receive funding from a variety of Brown-administered and national programs and fellowships and go …
