Undergraduate Research & Scholarships

Brenda Duong Sciences

Engineering Small Gene Editors through High-throughput Screening of RNA and Protein Interactions

Scholars Journal

Gene editing is a groundbreaking technology that allows precise genetic modifications. CRISPR-Cas systems are novel tools that can perform these edits with unprecedented specificity. However, a key limitation is deliverability, constrained by the large size of the enzymes. TnpB, a CRISPR-related system, is promising due to its small size which could simplify delivery. However, most TnpBs lack robust gene-editing activity, and much remains unknown about how their RNA and protein functionally interact. By analyzing specific reRNA-protein interactions and broader epistatic effects, this project aims to investigate these interactions to deepen our understanding of TnpB’s mechanism and guide future efforts to enhance its editing activity. This research could lead to a more effective genetic tool with broad applications in medicine, agriculture, and future engineering of small gene-editing systems.