* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
Download Understanding selectivity in the CRISPR CAS9 system
Point mutation wikipedia , lookup
RNA interference wikipedia , lookup
RNA silencing wikipedia , lookup
Primary transcript wikipedia , lookup
Pathogenomics wikipedia , lookup
Zinc finger nuclease wikipedia , lookup
History of RNA biology wikipedia , lookup
Biology and consumer behaviour wikipedia , lookup
Site-specific recombinase technology wikipedia , lookup
Designer baby wikipedia , lookup
Non-coding RNA wikipedia , lookup
Gene expression profiling wikipedia , lookup
Metagenomics wikipedia , lookup
Epigenetics of human development wikipedia , lookup
Computational phylogenetics wikipedia , lookup
Artificial gene synthesis wikipedia , lookup
Epitranscriptome wikipedia , lookup
UROP Project Title: Understanding selectivity in the CRISPR-CAS9 system Supervisor: Dr. Stefano Angioletti-Uberti, Materials Description: Gene editing using the CRISPR-CAS9 technology relies on selective recognition of specific nucleotide sequences using a matching RNA of 21 base-pairs. In this system, off-target binding must be reduced to a minimum because its occurrence can lead to modifications of genes rather than the one effectively targeted, with unpredictable consequences. Hence, an important question is to understand what are the intrinsic limits in terms of targeting selectivity that such system must have. For example, can we expect the same degree of off-target binding for all possible sequences? Can we improve targeting selectivity using a longer / shorter recognition sequence (...or why did Nature choose exactly 21 bases?). In this project, we will build a simple statistical mechanical model trying to incorporate the main feature of DNA-RNA binding, and use it to explore these and other questions, comparing results to experimental data whenever available. The interested student should have a strong foundations in mathematics, and the will to learn the basis of statistical mechanics. Ability to code in any object-oriented language, e.g. Python, and some knowledge of the Unix/Linux operating system will be beneficial for the completion of the project, but a driven student can also acquire these skills during its execution.