June 25, 2018

Genome editing and animal research

Many scientists have predicted that genome editing will revolutionise the way we do biological science in coming years as more and more scientists use the technique as a research tool and potential treatment. But how is genome editing changing the way we do animal research in the UK and how will research being conducted in animals now feed into the exciting developments we anticipate in coming years. In the past animal research has often been the hidden side of scientific developments as institutions played down the contribution of animals for fear of attracting the attention of animal rights extremists. However, developments in genome editing arrive at a time when that secrecy is outdated and the research community are enthusiastic to lift the lid on the way that animal research feeds into exciting developments in science. The SMC has gathered a panel of some of the UK’s leading animal research experts to provide background for journalists who will be covering future developments in genome editing in animals and humans.

Speakers:

Dr Sara Wells, Director of the Mary Lyon Centre, MRC Harwell

Dr Christophe Galichet, Senior Laboratory Research Scientist at The Francis Crick Institute

Dr Ed Ryder, Senior Scientific Manager, Mouse Molecular Technologies at the Wellcome Sanger Institute

Dr Lydia Teboul, Head of Molecular and Cellular Biology at the Mary Lyon Centre, MRC Harwell Institute

Prof Lizzy Fisher, Professor of Neurogenetics, Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology at UCL