Genome Engineering: From Mechanisms to Therapies (B4)

Genome Engineering: From Mechanisms to Therapies (B4) is organized by Keystone Symposia on Molecular and Cellular Biology and will be held from Feb 19 - 23, 2019 at The Fairmont Empress, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.

Course Description :
The use of programmable nucleases such as CRISPR-Cas systems, ZFNs and TALENs has revolutionized cell biology by providing the ability to manipulate specific genetic and epigenetic states within living cells. These systems have been broadly applied as tools in research settings and increasingly are being used to develop improved models of disease and engineer cells for therapeutic purposes. Together with other DNA-modifying systems such as recombinases, integrases and transposases, it is now possible to introduce mutations that will model human disease, build complex synthetic signaling networks to perform regulated functions, and design cells to target specific disease states. Improvements to the methods involved requires understanding enzyme structures and mechanisms and how they intersect with cellular DNA repair systems. The intersection of this basic science with engineering approaches and improved cellular models is revolutionizing our understanding and treatment of human disease. The goal of this Keystone Symposia conference is to bring together those developing and studying genome engineering tools with groups who are applying them to build new disease models, identify disease mechanisms and drug targets, and develop cell-based therapeutics and genetic medicines. In addition to covering engineering of human and animal cells, this conference will also highlight the emerging field of genome engineering to identify new anti-microbial and anti-viral drugs and applications toward next-generation antibiotics. Invited talks will explore a broad range of topics covering new technologies, fundamental basic research, through the development of screening approaches, stem cell-based models of disease and design, and development of cellular therapeutics.

Plenary Session Topics:
• Genome Engineering Tools and Technologies
• Workshop 1: Tools and Technologies
• Structure and Mechanism of Genome Editing Systems
• Engineered Models of Genetic Disease
• Workshop 2: Delivery
• Design and Engineering of Cellular Devices
• Genome Editing Screens for Function and Disease Mechanisms
• Harnessing DNA Repair Mechanisms for Genome Engineering
• Genome Engineering of Bacteria for Therapeutic and Diagnostic Applications
• Workshop 3: Clinical Trial Update
• Genome Editing for Treating Human Disease?

Additional details will be posted as soon as they are available.