Niskayuna Takes Part In The “CRISPR Revolution” In Biology Classes

At the beginning, CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) was only thought of as a unique way for bacteria to defend themselves against viruses. Teachers and students alike theorized about what its uses could be, but the general public was mostly unaware of CRISPR’s existence. Biologists and companies (particularly yogurt ones since they use bacteria cultures) had some interest in the technology before, but in the past few years, attention to the genetic editing method has skyrocketed—and for an understandable reason.

CRISPR is a genetic engineering tool that can be used to edit the genetic code of a segment of DNA. This means that genes in any plant, animal, or living organism can be changed. So far, it has already been used to fix certain animal genetic diseases, combat viruses, make beagles stronger, sterilize mosquitoes, and even prepare pig organs for human transplants. Due to these impressive accomplishments made using CRISPR, scientists have been amazed by its abilities and the seemingly infinite possibilities for its application in the future. 

Though it might initially sound like CRISPR has a complicated process, its steps are actually quite simple. By creating specific proteins through altering the base pairs of a gene, the sequence of a DNA strand can be rearranged. Basically, CRISPR/Cas9 is a “homing device,” which is used to guide molecular scissors (a restriction enzyme) to a specific section of DNA. Afterwards, the gene can be disabled, repaired, or inserted with a different set of repeats in the base pairs. Then, the genetic segment can be used to produce certain proteins based on that new CRISPR array. 

The most famous and well-known use of CRISPR and its RNA-based usage has been with the COVID-19 vaccine. The Covid vaccines have made restaurants, businesses, amusement parks, gyms, and more public spaces significantly safer for people. For schools like Niskayuna, it has made it possible to give daily in-person learning to students safely. The vaccine could be made with high efficiency and effectiveness thanks to this new genetic technology, which could also help us fight more diseases in the future. 

Fortunately at Niskayuna High School, biology classrooms have been given the opportunity to use the life-changing CRISPR technology in science lab demonstrations. Toolkits with the technology have been designed to educate students in middle and high schools, and they have even been adjusted to also be used during remote learning. Mr. Jennings, one of the biology teachers, describes the toolkit, “using the new Bio-Rad CRISPR “Out of the Blue"  kit we performed CRISPR to turn off a gene that would otherwise have made bacteria turn a blue color. Once CRISPRed, the bacteria instead would grow white.  The specific mechanism involved targeting a lac operon gene, using Cas-9 enzyme to cut the gene and then inserting a stop codon to turn off the gene.” 

In an interview with Mr. Jennings, he describes details in accordance with the CRISPR lab: 

Hillary Htun: What was the purpose of doing the lab?

Mr. Jennings: CRISPR is considered by some to be the greatest biological invention of this century. I knew that once a kit was available I wanted students to be able to do this amazing biotechnology.

It’s understandable why Biology teachers like Mr. Jennings would be exhilarated to be given an opportunity to use this technology. The swiftness and innovations could produce all sorts of revolutionary progress in the field, and now it’s literally in their classrooms for use. “I was so excited to have the kit. CRISPR has been a real area of interest over the past five or so years. When the kits came in I was like a kid on Christmas morning!  Having never done the lab before I was very nervous, it's an expensive lab but when we actually got results it was awesome!” says Mr. Jennings. He hopes more than anything that through this lab, his students gain experience and a perked interest in CRISPR which will continue into their future careers. 

Despite CRISPR’s life-changing effects, the biotechnology also raises ethical issues with its power. There have been many questions, such as to how much CRISPR’s use should be permitted, how it should be used on human subjects, and if international regulations with its use should be created. Mr. Jennings discusses the subject of whether or not CRISPR would be humane. 

HH: What do you think CRISPR can do for us in the future? Could it be considered too inhumane or ethically wrong for use?

MJ: As I tell my students, CRISPR is going to allow us to do almost anything!  If it has a genetic component CRISPR is going to allow us to edit the information. CRISPR is going to allow transformations in food science, medicine, to name just a few. Genetic diseases that affect millions could be eradicated. Traits can be modified.  Already we have used CRISPR in human trials to treat genetic blindness, sickle cell anemia and several forms of cancer.

As a science educator, I feel it is my responsibility to teach science. I believe it is the students’ responsibility to reach out to their friends, family, pastors, doctors, etc. to discuss/debate/consider the ethics of CRISPR use.  There are definitely lots of ethical considerations that need to be considered due to the power of CRISPR. 

HH: What aspects of life do you think CRISPR would most affect? 

MJ: Honestly, almost everything. In the future, so many of our foods will be CRISPR genetically engineered. In medicine, we will treat disease using CRISPR. Future parents will most likely be able to choose traits in their children.  It is hard for me to imagine the possibilities.  For example, I recently learned they are even using CRISPR to diagnose COVID infections.

HH: Will these labs be continued in highschools in the future?

MJ: As the price of the kit comes down, I think all high school students across the U.S. will be doing CRISPR. It is relatively easy to do and such an important biotechnology, I hope all students are introduced to it, as this will be how we innovate the technology in the future.  Remember, it was only invented in 2012!  We just happened to be one of the first groups of students in the country to actually do it. Niskayuna has had a history over the past 30 years of supporting advancements in genetic technology and was one of the reasons I actually took the job here at Niskayuna. I am very grateful for the community's support and I hope they will continue it as a priority into the future!