Nandika Nambiar L&S Biological Sciences
CRISPR-Based Targeting of F. Nucleatum Against Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains the fourth most common cancer in the world. In my proposal, I ask the question of whether CRISPR-Cas9 methodologies can be used to selectively target and disrupt the virulence pathways of the bacterial strain Fusobacterium nucleatum, which is prevalent in our gut microbiome, to combat its pro-tumorigenic efforts in colorectal cancer. F. Nucleatum has been shown to cause colorectal cancer and promote tumorigenesis by binding to colorectal epithelial cells through the FadA adhesin protein, leading to cell proliferation and growth. This strain of bacteria and its correlation to colorectal cancer have been studied before, but the possibility of targeting it using CRISPR-Cas9 has not been explored. Rather than using broad-spectrum antibiotics that have the potential to disrupt the whole gut microbiome, this project aims to use CRISPR-Cas9 to specifically target certain genes like FadA. Additionally, this project will help knock out specific genes in F. Nucleatum’s system to determine the exact molecular pathways responsible for causing CRC. This has the potential to pave the way for a CRISPR-based approach to CRC precision medicine.
Message To Sponsor
I am incredibly grateful for your tremendous support towards my project. Your funding will enable me to further my academic journey in an immeasurably positive way. I can't wait to use these valuable resources to contribute in any way possible to the field of cancer therapeutics.