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
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.