Giving silenced genes a voice: Activating epigenetically silent cancer genes using CRISPR-activation

Presentation Type

Poster

Presentation Type

Submission

Keywords

Cancer, gRNA, CRISPR, epigenetic, cell growth, gene, DNA methylation, activate, cas9

Department

Biology

Major

Biology

Abstract

Previous cancer research has extensively studied the role of genes that regulate cell replication. These genes, known as tumor suppressor genes, are responsible for arresting the growth of cancerous cells. However, epigenetically inactive genes–genes silenced via promoter DNA methylation–are under-examined in this realm. Our study aims to determine which genes, when normally “switched off,” contribute to unregulated cell proliferation. To achieve this goal, we are using CRISPR technology to overexpress five genes of interest in HCC1937 breast cancer cells. By inserting guide-RNAs (gRNA) for each gene into our cell lines, we can see if the reactivation (“switched on”) of normally inactive genes slows cancerous growth.

Faculty Mentor

Dr. J. Antonio Gomez

Funding Source or Research Program

Academic Year Undergraduate Research Initiative, Summer Undergraduate Research in Biology

Location

Waves Cafeteria

Start Date

22-3-2024 1:30 PM

End Date

22-3-2024 2:30 PM

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Mar 22nd, 1:30 PM Mar 22nd, 2:30 PM

Giving silenced genes a voice: Activating epigenetically silent cancer genes using CRISPR-activation

Waves Cafeteria

Previous cancer research has extensively studied the role of genes that regulate cell replication. These genes, known as tumor suppressor genes, are responsible for arresting the growth of cancerous cells. However, epigenetically inactive genes–genes silenced via promoter DNA methylation–are under-examined in this realm. Our study aims to determine which genes, when normally “switched off,” contribute to unregulated cell proliferation. To achieve this goal, we are using CRISPR technology to overexpress five genes of interest in HCC1937 breast cancer cells. By inserting guide-RNAs (gRNA) for each gene into our cell lines, we can see if the reactivation (“switched on”) of normally inactive genes slows cancerous growth.