ABOUT US
Our Mission
The Gene Editing Institute explores the potential of CRISPR-directed gene editing for application in oncology and inherited disease. We focus on bringing innovative research from bench to bedside by using CRISPR-directed gene editing to mitigate the failure of standard cancer care. Our education and outreach program aims to demystify gene editing technology while enriching STEM education at both the high school and collegiate level with CRISPR in a Box™.
Our History
Launched at ChristianaCare in 2015 under the leadership of gene editing pioneer Eric Kmiec, Ph.D., the Gene Editing Institute is a world leader in CRISPR gene editing technology. It is the only institute of its kind embedded in a community health system and brings a unique patient focus to the cutting-edge science of CRISPR gene editing. As a wholly owned subsidiary of ChristianaCare, the Institute is positioned to fast-track new research discoveries to patients.
Timeline
2015: The Gene Editing Institute is born, launched out of ChristianaCare’s Helen F. Graham Cancer Center, to apply CRISPR research to oncology.
2017: Researchers develop the ExACT pathway of single-stranded DNA repair, increasing on-target efficacy of CRISPR and paving the way for precision.
2018: Researchers at the institute use CRISPR to edit DNA outside of the cell for the first time. This “cell-free” tool allows scientists to replicate genetic mutations found in the tumors of individual cancer patients, personalizing cancer care. This becomes the basis for the CRISPR in a Box™ toolkit, an educational tool that becomes the basis for Gene Editing 360™, the institute’s education program.
2019: DECODR, is developed to quantify edits present in CRISPR-edited Sanger sequencing data in collaboration with Rohan Kanchana, a high school student from Charter School of Wilmington. This starts the institute’s foray into product development for nonprofit and academic use to further collaboration in gene editing.
2020: The lung cancer program is officially launched, and the Gene Editing Institute commits to utilizing its previous research on the R34G mutation to knock out the NRF2 gene to increase chemosensitivity in cancer patients.
2022: Gene Editing 360™ collaborates with Delaware Department of Education (DOE) to develop a full year gene editing course where CRISPR in a Box™ is a requirement to satisfy course objectives. Carolina Biological becomes the exclusive distributor for CRISPR in a Box™. Talks initiated with the FDA to obtain an IND to test the CRISPR-treated solid tumor.
2023: Learning Lab program launched to bring high school and college students to the institute to learn how to perform a CRISPR experiment. Patents filed for CompleteKill and SureKill to further assist in gene editing and indel detection.
Our Structure
The Gene Editing Institute positions itself as a hub for development of innovative technologies to further refine CRISPR as a tool for treatment of inherited disease and cancer.
Our Education and Outreach Team inspires and helps prepare the next generation of gene scientists by training and equipping teachers with the tools they need to launch students on a journey of learning and discovery in this exciting field.
