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Exploring the Complexities of the Human Mind: A Comprehensive Study

Pioneering genome editor and MIT professor Feng Zhang anticipates his research could provide insights into various neurological conditions.

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Pioneering genetic editor Feng Zhang, a professor at MIT, anticipates that his research will bring...
Pioneering genetic editor Feng Zhang, a professor at MIT, anticipates that his research will bring clarification to the complexities of neurological disorders.

Exploring the Complexities of the Human Mind: A Comprehensive Study

MIT Researcher Feng Zhang Discovers and Advances CRISPR-Cas9 Genome Editing Technology

In early 2011, Feng Zhang, a newly appointed faculty member at MIT, attended a talk by Harvard Medical School Professor Michael Gilmore about the bacterium Enteroccocus and its defense system, CRISPR. Though unfamiliar with it, Zhang's interest in nucleases piqued, leading him to delve deeper into CRISPR.

Realizing its potential for genome editing, Zhang and his team at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard focused on adapting CRISPR-Cas9 for editing genes in mammalian cells. Their breakthrough was reported in the journal Science in January 2013.

Since then, CRISPR has been extensively used in various fields, including medicine, plant biology, and neuroscience, to study gene function and investigate the possibility of correcting faulty genes that cause disease. Zhang now leads a lab of 19 scientists who continue to refine and expand the applications of genome editing, particularly in neuroscience.

Growing up in Des Moines, Iowa, Zhang's fascination with science was sparked by his participation in Science Bowl competitions and special Saturday science classes. His interest in genetics was further fueled by the film "Jurassic Park." During his high school years, he worked with Dr. John Levy at the Iowa Methodist Medical Center, studying green fluorescent protein (GFP) and viral proteins.

Zhang pursued his undergraduate education at Harvard University, majoring in chemistry and physics. He completed his research under the guidance of Xiaowei Zhuang, a professor of chemistry and chemical biology. The experience instilled in him a solid foundation in chemistry and physics, while his personal interest in biology remained strong.

A close friend's struggle with a psychiatric disorder inspired Zhang to focus on understanding the brain's workings and potential treatment methods for psychiatric diseases. At Stanford University, where he earned his PhD in chemistry, he worked with Karl Deisseroth to develop optogenetics, a technique that revolutionized biological research by allowing neuroscientists to selectively activate and deactivate specific neurons in the brain.

In 2011, Zhang started to concentrate on gene editing as he worked on zinc finger nucleases and TALENs. However, he found these proteins difficult to work with, prompting him to explore alternative methods like CRISPR. By adapting CRISPR-Cas9, Zhang's lab has made enhancements, including improved precision and preventing unintended cuts, making the technology more effective and widely used.

They have also recently reported another type of CRISPR system based on a different nuclease called Cpf1, which offers simpler use and additional benefits to expand the genome editing toolbox. Zhang's lab serves as a worldwide hub for CRISPR research, responding to nearly 30,000 requests from academic labs worldwide and training thousands of researchers in the use of CRISPR-Cas9 genome-editing technology.

His team is currently working on creating animal models of autism, Alzheimer's, and other neurological disorders with the aim of developing CRISPR for use in humans to potentially cure diseases caused by defective genes.

"We still have a lot of work to do, but the potential of CRISPR in the field of gene editing is incredible," Zhang says. "Our goal is to use these advancements to improve our understanding of biological systems, develop treatments for diseases, and ultimately better our quality of life."

  1. The engineering departments at institutions like MIT, where Feng Zhang works, have seen an influx of neuroscience and genetics-focused research, propelled by the advancements in CRISPR-Cas9 technology.
  2. The news of CRISPR's breakthroughs in genome editing technology has reached society at large, sparking discussions about the ethical implications and potential for health-and-wellness improvements.
  3. Several biology departments have incorporated CRISPR-Cas9 into their undergraduate and graduate programs, providing students with the opportunity to learn and conduct research using this groundbreaking tool.
  4. Mentorship plays a crucial role in the research sphere, as evidenced by the influence of professors like Michael Gilmore and Karl Deisseroth on Zhang's career.
  5. With the advancement in CRISPR, the field of medicine has seen a shift in how genetic disorders are approached, with the hope of correcting faulty genes and treating diseases more effectively.
  6. In the realm of mental health, researchers are exploring the potential of CRISPR technology to develop treatments for psychiatric disorders, following Zhang's focus on understanding the brain's workings.
  7. The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, where Zhang's lab is based, attracts fellows from diverse backgrounds, including biology, chemistry, physics, technology, and health-and-wellness research.
  8. The report in the journal Science about Zhang's seminal work on CRISPR-Cas9 revolutionized the scientific community, inspiring new research and applications of genome editing technology.
  9. The ongoing research in Zhang's lab is geared towards improving the precision and effectiveness of CRISPR, with an aim to make it more accessible to various fields, including neuroscience and medicine.
  10. As Zhang's lab continues to refine CRISPR, they remain at the forefront of research, responding to requests from academic labs worldwide and training thousands of researchers in its use.
  11. Beyond CRISPR, Zhang and his team are working on creating animal models for neurological disorders, such as autism and Alzheimer's, to further expand the possibilities for genetic research and treatment.
  12. The potential of CRISPR-Cas9 technology extends far beyond genome editing, with implications for numerous fields, including neuroscience, medicine, and the broader understanding of biological systems, ultimately aiming to improve the quality of life for all.

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