323 - CRISPR and the future of gene editing: scientific advances, genetic therapies, & more

Video Description

View show notes here: https://bit.ly/3BVio8U Become a member to receive exclusive content: https://peterattiamd.com/subscribe/ Sign up to receive Peter's email newsletter: https://peterattiamd.com/newsletter/ Feng Zhang, a professor of neuroscience at MIT and a pioneering figure in gene editing, joins Peter to discuss his groundbreaking work in CRISPR technology, as well as his early contributions to optogenetics. In this episode, they explore the origins of CRISPR and the revolutionary advancements that have transformed the field of gene editing. Feng delves into the practical applications of CRISPR for treating genetic diseases, the importance of delivery methods, and the current successes and challenges in targeting cells specific tissues such as those in the liver and eye. He also covers the ethical implications of gene editing, including the debate around germline modification, as well as reflections on Feng’s personal journey, the impact of mentorship, and the future potential of genetic medicine. We discuss: 0:00:00 - Intro 0:01:32 - Feng’s background, experience in developing optogenetics, and his shift toward improving gene-editing technologies 0:10:05 - The discovery of CRISPR in bacterial DNA and the realization that these sequences could be harnessed for gene editing 0:21:48 - How the CRISPR system fights off viral infections and the role of the Cas9 enzyme and PAM sequence 0:29:48 - The limitations of earlier gene-editing technologies prior to CRISPR 0:39:08 - How CRISPR revolutionized the field of gene editing, potential applications, and ongoing challenges 0:51:59 - CRISPR’s potential in treating genetic diseases and the challenges of effective delivery 0:57:55 - How CRISPR is used to treat sickle cell anemia 1:05:51 - Gene editing with base editing, the role of AI in protein engineering, and challenges of delivery to the right cells 1:13:10 - How CRISPR is advancing scientific research by fast-tracking the development of transgenic mice 1:17:43 - Advantages of Cas13’s ability to direct CRISPR to cleave RNA and the advances and remaining challenges of delivery 1:27:55 - CRISPR-Cas9: therapeutic applications in the liver and the eye 1:40:15 - The ethical implications of gene editing, the debate around germline modification, regulation, and more 1:52:45 - Genetic engineering to enhance human traits: challenges, trade-offs, and ethical concerns 1:58:25 - Feng’s early life, the influence of the American education system, and the critical role teachers played in shaping his desire to explore gene-editing technology 2:13:15 - Feng’s optimism about the trajectory of science -------- About: The Peter Attia Drive is a deep-dive podcast focusing on maximizing longevity, and all that goes into that from physical to cognitive to emotional health. With over 90 million episodes downloaded, it features topics including exercise, nutritional biochemistry, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, mental health, and much more. Peter Attia is the founder of Early Medical, a medical practice that applies the principles of Medicine 3.0 to patients with the goal of lengthening their lifespan and simultaneously improving their healthspan. Learn more: https://peterattiamd.com Connect with Peter on: Facebook: http://bit.ly/PeterAttiaMDFB Twitter: http://bit.ly/PeterAttiaMDTW Instagram: http://bit.ly/PeterAttiaMDIG Subscribe to The Drive: Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/TheDriveApplePodcasts Overcast: http://bit.ly/TheDriveOvercast Spotify: http://bit.ly/TheDriveSpotify Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/TheDriveGoogle Disclaimer: This podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing, or other professional healthcare services, including the giving of medical advice. No doctor-patient relationship is formed. The use of this information and the materials linked to this podcast is at the user's own risk. The content on this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical condition they have, and they should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions. I take conflicts of interest very seriously. For all of my disclosures and the companies I invest in or advise, please visit my website where I keep an up-to-date and active list of such companies. For a full list of our registered and unregistered trademarks, trade names, and service marks, please review our Terms of Use: https://peterattiamd.com/terms-of-use/