- February 17, 2022
"Back at MIT, I’m working as a lab technician full-time at the Manalis Lab, where I worked previously as a part-time UROP for 2 years. I have renewed energy to address social issues at my MIT workplace and renewed confidence in my research abilities."
Editing the genome can correct genetic diseases, such as Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. So, developing gene-editing tools for human use is under intense investigation. However, gene therapy is hampered by delivery issues. For instance, the body’s immune system can detect and destroy delivery vehicles. My project involves designing a virus-like particles (VLPs) to deliver gene therapy products. Inside the VLP, we package components for CRISPR-Cas9, a major technology in gene editing. The system involves a protein (Cas9) that uses a reference (guide RNA) to DNA at a predetermined location.
Thanks to my extensive wet lab training at MIT through UROP projects, I was able to hit the ground running on our VLP project.