MONDAY, MAY 23, 2016

RECEPTION 6:00 P.M. | PROGRAM 6:30 P.M.

THE ROCKEFELLER UNIVERSITY
ABBY ALDRICH ROCKEFELLER HALL
1230 YORK AVENUE AT EAST 66TH ST

CRISPR is a revolutionary technology that enables scientists to make precise edits in the genome of any organism. With CRISPR, it is now possible to efficiently delete disease-causing genes from cells and replace them with normal genes. If implemented in the cells of an early embryo, these genetic modifications could become integrated into the organism’s germline and be inherited by subsequent generations.

In laboratory studies, CRISPR has been used to cure Duchenne muscular dystrophy in mouse models, create immune system cells that resist HIV infection, and eliminate harmful viruses from pig organs, an essential step toward making them safe for transplantation. While the promise of innovative therapies is exciting, the technology raises significant ethical questions and comes with many biological risks.

The human genome is the outcome of at least 3.5 billion years of natural selection. How well do we understand the possible consequences of changing it? The National Academy of Sciences and National Academy of Medicine in the United States, as well as other organizations worldwide, have convened high-level meetings and committees to develop clear guidelines for the prudent use of CRISPR technology.

Rockefeller University has invited George Daley, a distinguished investigator of blood diseases, to give a presentation on CRISPR's implications for the future of medicine. Dr. Daley’s work is contributing to the development of a range of treatment approaches, including cell-based therapies.

Following Dr. Daley’s talk, he will participate in a panel discussion with two Rockefeller faculty members who are playing key roles in gene editing policy and research: Barry Coller and Luciano Marraffini. Dr. Coller's studies of platelet physiology and thrombosis have led to essential therapies and diagnostic tools. He is a member of the National Academies’ Committee on Human Gene Editing. Dr. Marraffini is a key contributor to the understanding of CRISPRs as naturally occurring DNA sequences harbored by bacteria for protection against the viruses that infect them.

The panel discussion will be moderated by Rockefeller University President Marc Tessier-Lavigne. An internationally renowned neuroscientist, Dr. Tessier-Lavigne is the Carson Family Professor and head of the University's Laboratory of Brain Development and Repair. He has served on the advisory group for the National Academies' human gene editing initiative.

For more information, please contact Elizabeth Kennedy at ekennedy@rockefeller.edu or (212) 327–7712.