Mika Furukawa-Lee

Crispr/Cas9 as a potential therapeutic option for genetic cases of Parkinson’s Disease

Started Apr. 7, 2025

Abstract or project description

Crispr/cas9 is a unique gene-editing tool that has been used over the years not only for learning more about the human genome but has also been more recently developed for applications in treating various medical conditions. Parkinson's disease is one of the more prominent neurodegenerative diseases, and while most cases are sporadic, there have been links to specific genetic mutations that increase risk or result in disease onset. This project will examine specific genetic links in PD, and whether Crsipr/Cas9 has the potential or is already being investigated as an option to assist individuals with particular mutations, discussing the specific biological pathways that could be mediated by this treatment, how that influences disease outcomes, and what this could mean for the future of PD research and treatment.