CRISPR TEACHING TOOLS
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Explore Genomic Resources
Our free resource library is packed full of lesson plans, videos, interactive games and other educational content from the National Human Genome Research Institute and our partners.
Read Genomics: Insights
Read articles written by promising researchers about the science they're doing in the lab to inform, educate, and raise awareness about genetics and genomics.
#1
Everything You Need To Know About CRISPR Gene Editing (WIRED Magazine)
"In the last five years, biology has undergone a seismic shift as researchers around the globe have embraced a revolutionary technology called gene editing. It involves the precise cutting and pasting of DNA by specialized proteins—inspired by nature, engineered by researchers. These proteins come in three varieties, all known by their somewhat clumsy acronyms: ZFNs, TALENs, and CRISPRs. But it’s CRISPR with its elegant design and simple cell delivery, that’s most captured the imagination of scientists."
From Wired Magazine, everything you need to know about how scientists can repurpose a bacterial immune system to alter DNA, making everything from cheap insulin to extra starchy corn.
#2
What Are Genome Editing and CRISPR-Cas9? (Genetics Home Reference)
"CRISPR-Cas9 was adapted from a naturally occurring genome editing system in bacteria. The bacteria capture snippets of DNA from invading viruses and use them to create DNA segments known as CRISPR arrays. The CRISPR arrays allow the bacteria to "remember" the viruses (or closely related ones). If the viruses attack again, the bacteria produce RNA segments from the CRISPR arrays to target the viruses' DNA. The bacteria then use Cas9 or a similar enzyme to cut the DNA apart, which disables the virus."
Downloadable/printable short and concise PDF with scientific journal articles for further reading from the National Library of Medicine.
#3
CRISPR-Cas9: Mechanism & Applications (The HHMI BioInteractive)
"The CRISPR-Cas9: Mechanism & Applications interactive allows students to explore and learn about a biotechnology tool that is at the forefront of scientific research and hear directly from leading researchers about how they use CRISPR. It consists of a self-paced interactive animation and a series of short videos of different scientists who are using CRISPR-Cas9 technologies for basic research, medical, and agricultural applications."
"In addition to the interactive, we’ve compiled a set of images, animations, and GIFs for use on social media, in the classroom, and for presentations to the public."
From the education team at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's BioInteractive, this is one of the leading learning tools available on CRISPR-Cas9. Popular features include interactive animations and short videos of different scientists using CRISPR-Cas9 technology in research.
#4
What Is Genome Editing? (National Human Genome Research Institute)
"Genome editing is a method that lets scientists change the DNA of many organisms, including plants, bacteria, and animals. Editing DNA can lead to changes in physical traits, like eye color, and disease risk. Scientists use different technologies to do this. These technologies act like scissors, cutting the DNA at a specific spot. Then scientists can remove, add, or replace the DNA where it was cut."
Sections here discuss "How Does It Work?, How Is It Used?, Ethical Concerns, What Do People Think?, and "What's Happening Right Now?
#5
Lesson Plan for Schools on CRISPR Gene Editing in Animals (New York Times)
"Crispr-Cas9 is the most powerful of the new gene-editing tools. Watch the above video about how the process works and take notes on what you learn. Try to gather information for these questions:
- What is the Crispr method?
- What is Cas9?
- How have scientists engineered the Crispr-Cas9 system to cut and even replace any DNA sequence in animal or human genes?
Then, as a class, discuss what you have learned, and write down any questions you still have about gene editing or its implications."
#6
Lesson Plan: Genome Editing and CRISPR (Personal Genetics Education Project / PgEd)
How might advances in our ability to change genomes impact individuals and society?
Summary:
Recently developed techniques to easily modify DNA, known as “genome editing,” are bringing many new possibilities as well as dilemmas to the forefront of medicine, ethics, religion and society at large. One technique in particular, known as “CRISPR,” has generated the most excitement due to its efficiency and ease of use. This lesson introduces students to the basic scientific concepts of genome editing, its potential for improving human health, as well as some of the ethical discussions surrounding the development and applications of the technique.
Activities: Do now exercise (5-7 minutes), slideshow (30-40 minutes), scenarios (25-35 minutes).
#7
In Breakthrough, Scientists Edit a Dangerous Mutation From Genes in Human Embryos (The New York Times)
"Scientists for the first time have successfully edited genes in human embryos to repair a common and serious disease-causing mutation, producing apparently healthy embryos, according to a study published on Wednesday."
"The research marks a major milestone and, while a long way from clinical use, it raises the prospect that gene editing may one day protect babies from a variety of hereditary conditions.But the achievement is also an example of human genetic engineering, once feared and unthinkable, and is sure to renew ethical concerns that some might try to design babies with certain traits, like greater intelligence or athleticism."
#8
CRISPR/Cas9: What Is It?, How Does It Work?, What About the Future? (DNA Dots)
"Simply put, scientists use CRISPR to target a very specific region of DNA to be cut. Cas9 makes the cut, and the cell uses repair instructions provided by the scientist. This way we can use CRISPR/Cas9 to very precisely change the sequence of genes instead of just turning them off!"
#9
Easy DNA Editing Will Remake the World. Buckle Up. (WIRED Magazine)
"Still haven’t had enough Crispr? Amy Maxmen’s 2015 cover story in WIRED is the definitive survey of this gene-editing technology; from its humble bacterial beginnings, to the trenches of its ferocious patent battle, to inside the companies already churning toward our Crispr-created future."
#10
CRISPR in 2018: Coming to a Human Near You (MIT Technology Review)
"Ever since scientists first used CRISPR-Cas9 to edit living human cells in 2013, they’ve been saying that the possibilities for using it to treat disease are virtually endless. In just the past few years, advances in CRISPR have been happening at a breakneck speed—and companies have sprung up to commercialize the technology. Now, patients in Europe and the U.S. could be treated with CRISPR-based therapies as soon as 2018."
#11
Genome Editing in Brief: What, Why and How? (The Nuffield Council on Bioethics)
This review considers the impact of recent advances in genome editing, which have diffused rapidly across many fields of biological research, and the range of ethical questions to which they give rise.
It was carried out by an interdisciplinary Working Group that included expertise in science, law, philosophy, ethics, sociology and industry.
The review sets out the preliminary findings on the impact of genome editing across different areas of biological research and applications, and the range of questions to which this gives rise.
#12
‘Gene Drives’ Are Too Risky for Field Trials, Scientists Say (The New York Times)
"In 2013, scientists discovered a new way to precisely edit genes — technology called Crispr that raised all sorts of enticing possibilities. Scientists wondered if it might be used to fix hereditary diseases, for example, or to develop new crops.
One of the more intriguing ideas came from Kevin M. Esvelt and his colleagues at Harvard University: Crispr, they suggested, could be used to save endangered wildlife from extinction by implanting a fertility-reducing gene in invasive animals — a so-called gene drive."