Targeting Novel Genes Using CRISPR activation (CRISPRa) in Murine Postnatal Heart

Heart failure, affecting approximately 65 million individuals globally, is a leading cause of death worldwide. Currently, there are no treatment to reverse its progression. Dysregulation of gene expressions is a key determinant of cardiac pathology outcomes. Yanie’s PhD aimed to address this by investigating the use of a novel gene editing approach called CRISPR activation (CRISPRa) to restore the altered gene expression. Her work is among the first to demonstrate successful use of CRISPRa-mediated gene activation in an adult mouse heart, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic tool for restoration of gene expression to improve heart failure outcomes.