2024 Reflections from the Gene Editing Institute

We’re always looking ahead here at the Gene Editing Institute, but this time of year helps us reflect on how far we’ve come, what impact we’ve made, and where we’re going next. Below, we outline our translational, innovative and educational work – the core pillars of our efforts at the Institute – and the efforts we’re proud of most from 2024.

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Finding new ways to use gene editing to treat solid tumor cancers

?? Pioneering CRISPR-Based Treatments for Solid Tumors

We’re tackling one of the most significant challenges in oncology: overcoming tumor resistance to current therapies. Using cutting-edge CRISPR-directed gene editing, our team is advancing a novel approach to improve outcomes for patients with solid tumors.

Here’s why this matters:

·???????? Resistance is a Major Hurdle: Many therapies fail over time as tumors adapt to treatments, requiring higher doses or alternative therapies that often lead to severe toxicities, disrupting treatment and increasing patient suffering.

·???????? Our Solution: By targeting the master regulatory gene NRF2 with tumor-specific CRISPR technology, we can disable the mechanisms behind resistance. This restores responsiveness to chemotherapy, radiation, or immunotherapy while leaving healthy cells untouched.

This groundbreaking strategy has been accelerated through close collaboration with the clinical teams at the Graham Cancer Center, ensuring that our innovations are both practical and impactful. To learn more about our strategy to disrupt NRF2, a key gene involved in drug resistance in solid tumors, to augment standard of care therapies, listen to scientist Kelly Banas present about our work during a November CRISPR Medicine News webinar.

?? Moving Toward Clinical Trials

After productive discussions with the FDA, we are now advancing toward clinical trials with a focus on solid tumor head and neck cancers. These efforts represent a significant step forward in delivering cancer treatments more effectively.

At the heart of this work is a commitment to improve not just survival rates, but the quality of life for patients battling cancer. By combining cutting-edge science with a patient-focused approach, we aim to redefine what’s possible in cancer care.

Building the next generation of genomic scientists, researchers and technicians

?? Innovating STEM Education and Building Trust in Science ??

We’re transforming how students engage with innovative science, bioethics, and equity in the STEM fields. Our Learning Lab is a shining example of our mission in action. Using the CRISPR in a Box? educational kit, we invite high school students from Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania to step into the world of gene editing. This hands-on experience not only introduces them to breakthrough technologies but also fosters critical discussions on ethics and trust in science.

New to this year, we:

·???????? Welcomed Teens from The WRK Group: The Warehouse, a nonprofit community center serving young people in Wilmington, DE, to our Learning Lab to perform a CRISPR in a Box? experiment. These teens plan to pursue careers in healthcare and research, and we were glad to share how CRISPR and genomic tools are important to these fields.

·???????? Developed Introduction to Gene Editing 360, a course for freshman and sophomore students to build their lab stills, learn lab safety, and build a foundational understanding of biology. After our initial success in the fall, we will continue to hold these sessions in September and October in 2025.

?? Awards and Recognition

These honors reflect the Lab’s unique ability to engage students in meaningful and impactful ways. The Learning Lab has earned accolades such as:

·???????? Finalist for Innovation in STEM Education

·???????? Second Place in The Scientist’s Top Ten Most Innovative Developments

?? Broad Impact and Strong Partnerships

This year, our Gene Editing 360? curriculum has reached 1,020 students across 32 schools, guided by an incredible education team including Amanda Hewes, Kristen Pisarcik, and Sarah LaTorre. In total, we hosted 45 workshops. We’re proud to collaborate with esteemed partners like the Franklin Institute, Drexel University, University of Delaware, Temple University, and many more. Together, we’re preparing the next generation of scientists and changemakers.

Our partnership with Carolina Science Education , a leader in STEM education tools, enabled us to distribute CRISPR in a Box? on a national level this year. This milestone brought our innovative model to even more students, ensuring equitable access to STEM opportunities. In other good news: We’ve been able to decrease the cost by 40%, aligning with our mission to ensure that CRISPR education is affordable and accessible to schools across the country.

At the Institute, we believe in the power of education to break barriers and inspire change. Let’s keep igniting curiosity and building a future where science benefits everyone.

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In 2025, we set the goal of identifying more solutions for patients with cancer, bring in even more students to Learning Lab and Gene Editing 360?, and make gene editing tools even safer and more effective so that we can protect people with diseases like sickle cell.

Thank you to our team and our supporters for being a part of our mission to accelerate breakthroughs in CRISPR gene editing and improve human health.