Innovative Genomics Institute

I am so proud of this program and the Hampton students who’s incredible work showcased just how impactful this opportunity could be. I initiated our partnership with Hampton University and Graham Chakafana, PhD 2 years ago. Since then we have hosted 3 Hampton students, have 2 more coming this summer, and The Rising Stars Program expands this effort to host 8 students per year from HBCUs including Hampton. Huge thanks to the rest of the team Madelyn Gelpi, M.P.P., Hope Henderson and Zilose Lyons who made sure that this partnership would continue to fluorish.

?? Big Give is now LIVE Help support undergrad-led synthetic biology research, training programs, and a large community of aspiring scientists! Every amount of support helps--whether that's: ?? Chipping in $10 at https://bit.ly/igem-give25 ?? Sharing our posts on Instagram and LinkedIn ?? Sending a text blast to family and friends Your support helps us keep undergraduate research accessible--will you join us? #CalBigGive?#BigGive2025?#iGEMBerkeley

Phage genomes are full of mysterious proteins that could potentially be harnessed to create new genomic tools. IGI Investigators Jennifer Doudna & Brady Cress with co-first authors Ben Adler & Muntathar Al-Shimary (pictured) detail a new method for exploring phage genomes in a paper in Nature Microbiology. Read more: https://ow.ly/uucL50V77n0

Congratulations Professor Staskawicz! Your work in plant immunity is inspiring to us all. And for those of you keeping track at home, that is 4 out of the last 6 Wolf Prizes in Agriculture (a global award considered by many to be the Nobel Prize for Ag) to IGI members. That’s winners in 11% of ALL the years Wolf agriculture prizes have EVER been awarded (started in 1978)!

I know how much work it is to sample and care for all these animals. The microbiome longitudinal data we generate will lay the foundation for all future livestock methane studies around the globe AND give CRISPR a definitive roadmap to shut down emissions. Thank you Ermias, team, and UC Davis! Together we will solve the livestock methane problem!

The IGI is excited to announce the Rising Stars Program –?a pilot program to bring talented undergrads from HBCUs to IGI labs at University of California, Berkeley, University of California, San Francisco, University of California, Davis, and UCLA for summer research in #CRISPR, helping to prepare them for successful #STEM careers and to be the next generation of leaders in genomics research! This pilot program is made possible by a generous award from the University of California Office of the President. IGI Founder Jennifer Doudna is the lead investigator on the project! Learn more: https://ow.ly/mSkM50Vg7I4 Pictured: Cydni Bolling of Hampton University, who did research in the Doudna lab in summer 2024 as part of the UC-HBCU Initiative. A special shout-out to her IGI mentor Erin Doherty, Ph.D., who connected IGI with the Initiative and with Hampton faculty including Graham Chakafana, PhD and students including Cydni!

Congrats to Brian Staskawicz –?IGI's Director of Sustainable Agriculture and winner of the 2025 Wolf Prize in Agriculture! Learn more about his work in plant immunity, the potential for #CRISPR to help billions through agriculture, and why he has "the best job in the world" in our Q&A: https://ow.ly/pkJr50Vg4u2

Last Friday, UC Berkeley researchers, students, and staff gathered as part of the nationwide Stand up for Science #SUFS movement. IGI Founder Jennifer Dounda spoke about how NIH funding allowed her to go to graduate school and NSF funding supported the development of #CRISPR genome editing. Federal funding is crucial for life-saving science! Read more: https://ow.ly/oPyo50VfTTp

Join is at the IGI building today at noon!

Thanks to IGI Investigator Peggy Lemaux for telling us about what #WomensHistoryMonth means to her! At the IGI, we celebrate #WomenInSTEM this month and every month.