Side by Side Agency (SBS) is a student-led educational non-profit based in the Greater Toronto Area. We began by providing free virtual tutoring and mentorship for K-12 students to compensate for pandemic-related educational disruptions. When school services returned, we switched gears to focus on persisting barriers to academia for marginalized students primarily addressing inconsistencies in research education across Ontario. Literature on Canadian undergraduate students’ literacy and research skills affirmed our personal difficulties with entering the research field, motivating us to develop a free, accessible, and supportive beginner research program for high school students. The 2021 SBS Summer Research Program (SBS SRP) was developed by undergraduate volunteers and included weekly lessons, workshops, homework, and guest speakers to cultivate research skills and inspire curiosity. Students worked with undergraduate mentors to pursue research projects of their interest in fields such as neuroscience, public health, and sociology. SBS SRP culminated with our conference, where students presented their literature reviews, proposed studies, and informative social media campaigns. Check out our website to view our students’ presentations and learn more.
Sickle cell disease (SCD) consists of haemoglobin-mutation related blood disorders caused by mutations of the HBB gene. Current treatments for SCD are symptom-based or preventive treatments. The only curative treatment for SCD- an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant- is inaccessible to the majority of SCD patients. The transplant required a donor graft is unavailable for most individuals. Currently, research in gene therapy treatment for SCD attempts to provide long-lasting treatments in two distinct techniques. The first technique is to change the mutation-containing genotype to produce a normal or functional haemoglobin protein. The second technique is to bypass the production of the mutated adult haemoglobin and product fetal haemoglobin instead. This literature review compares three gene-editing methods; Lentiviral Vectors, CRISPR/Cas9, and Base Editors. A review of previously published research papers was conducted and compared over a 2 month period during a summer student research program to determine the progression of each of the three gene-editing methods in the two techniques of SCD gene therapy treatment. While all three were successful in both genotype correction and fetal haemoglobin induction, only the Lentiviral Vector and CRISPR/Cas9 treatments for fetal haemoglobin induction have published data on human trials. However, the Base Editor shows promise in its ability to surpass many issues faced with both viral vectors and CRISPR/Cas9 such as off-target DNA breaks. Progression in SCD gene therapy can provide a treatment option for all affected individuals and can even provide a basis for gene therapy for other blood disorders.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.