Eight Falmouth Academy students participated in the Marine Biological Laboratory’s CRISPR/Cas9 Genome Editing of Aquatic and Marine Organisms course, an immersive four-day residential hands-on research and learning experience that's part of the lab’s High School Discovery program. Falmouth Academy’s own Dr. Alison Ament was involved in the initial planning of the program, which was launched in 2019 with the goal of making high-level science available to high school students. MBL Director and University of Chicago professor Dr. Nipam Patel and MBL manager of Marine Research Services and Secondary Education Scott Bennett taught the course. Students worked in Patel’s lab with his research team, learned microscopy techniques, manipulated zebrafish genes using cutting-edge CRISPR technology, and participated in roundtables on CRISPR, embryology, bioethics, and careers in science. They also visited the MBL’s Rare Books Room, toured research labs, and visited the MBL’s Marine Resources Center, which houses everything from coral and anemones to horseshoe crabs, cephalopods, fish, and sharks. “I really loved visiting the Center and seeing the axolotls, which are nearly extinct,” said Roberto Marzot ’23.  Axolotls are a species of salamander native to Mexico and MBL has over fifty in different tanks. Researchers are studying their astonishing regenerative capabilities.

CRISPR is an acronym for “clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats.” In simpler terms, CRISPR refers to short repeating sequences of DNA that can be recognized by a guide RNA molecule and cut by an enzyme such as Cas9. This cutting allows researchers to disable a gene (called a “knockout”) and to insert gene sequences in new places in a DNA sequence/chromosome. There is great potential for treating genetic diseases and disorders with CRISPR by disabling a defective gene or inserting a corrected copy of a gene. It is already being used in experimental trials to treat sickle-cell anemia. 

CRISPR’s potential as a gene-editing tool was first observed and described by a researcher working for a yogurt company in France in 2007. Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier were subsequently awarded the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their discovery and pioneering work with the CRISPR/Cas9 “genetic scissors.”

In 10th-grade biology, Falmouth Academy students learn how to micropipette and genetically transform bacteria using restriction enzymes. They also learn the basics of genetics and microscopy and discuss the ethics surrounding genetic engineering including the use of CRISPR. “For many students, this is an intriguing and timely subject,” said Falmouth Academy Biology Teacher Sharon Kreamer, who organized and chaperoned the trip. Students self-selected to attend and some scholarship money was made available for demonstrated need.

During the MBL course, students edited developmental genes in zebrafish embryos using a CRISPR/Cas9 construct. Through this process, they also learned about embryogenesis and organ formation, and their connection to understanding human health and birth defects. They were able to see the results of the editing using modern methods in microscopy and the 3D imaging software, Fiji. 

“Injecting the embryos was difficult at first,” said Michael Zitomer ’22, “but rewarding when done correctly.” Kreamer noted that although there was a learning curve with the new technology, Falmouth Academy students were enthusiastic and capable due to a strong conceptual and practical foundation. “You could see the learning in real-time,” said Kreamer. “As their teacher, it was about witnessing the wonder and excitement of scientific discovery and endeavor in my students.”

Gene editing has great potential, but as Sophia Venetis ’22 noted, there are many things to consider, especially before involving human subjects, including consent, safety, access, and feasibility. “Understanding bioethical implications is essential when pushing boundaries in biotechnology and biomedical research,” said Venetis, “something that I hope to do in my future.” 

This program expanded the students’ understanding of science as team-based and collaborative, which gave them a broader picture of what a career in science or research could look like, said Kreamer. “They don’t have to be computer technologists or mathematicians to pursue science.” Zitomer, who plans to study psychology and biochemistry in college, said the program exceeded his expectations, referring to it as a highlight of his high school career.

Participating students included: Sophia Venetis '22, Michael Zitomer '22, Ben Gulmann '23, Daisy Kinsley Hancock '23, Roberto Marzot '23, Charlotte Ray '23, Mateo Vazquez '23, and Sean Yin '23