Polygence Scholar2022
Sakina Rizvi
Class of 2026Redmond, Washington
About
Hi! My name is Sakina and my Polygence Project regards the disadvantages of CRISPR, the new genome editing technology that is proving to be increasingly successful yet has flaws leading to unpredictable side effects. After my project is complete, I would like to hibernate for at least a week (just kidding), I mean, learn more about genetics and the biotechnology field.Projects
- "Factors affecting the efficiency and specificity of CRISPR gene editing?" with mentor Gokul (Working project)
Project Portfolio
Factors affecting the efficiency and specificity of CRISPR gene editing?
Started Mar. 1, 2023
Abstract or project description
Sakina's research has gotten her really excited about a few open questions in the CRISPR field right now that are in fact hot topics in academia as well. One is specificity: how scientists can control how likely a Cas protein is to accidentally edit an unintended site. Another is DNA repair: how the DNA repair proteins in a cell affect the outcome of the edit. She hopes to synthesize some of these ideas into a model that explains how Cas9 works while also conveying some of these key concepts. Importantly, she also wants her model to "unlock" things for others -- highlighting key concepts that may be particularly transformative for someone's understanding of this field.