This course offers a comprehensive theoretical and practical training experience in biotechnology. The course is designed to equip participants with the skills to produce recombinant Cas9 protein in vitro and apply CRISPR-Cas9 technology for genome editing of Trypanosoma cruzi, a key pathogen causing Chagas disease.
Participants will learn the fundamentals of recombinant DNA technology, including cloning, protein expression, and purification techniques essential for producing active Cas9 protein. The course will then focus on the design and synthesis of guide RNAs (gRNAs) specific to Trypanosoma cruzi genes and the practical application of CRISPR-Cas9 for targeted genome editing. Hands-on sessions will cover gene knock-out and knock-in strategies, optimization of gene delivery methods, and validation techniques such as PCR, sequencing, and phenotypic assays.
The course will also address the broader implications of genome editing in tropical parasitology, discussing ethical considerations, regulatory frameworks, and potential biotechnological applications for drug discovery and vaccine development. Participants will benefit from lectures, workshops, and collaborative discussions led by international experts in biotechnology and parasitology, fostering knowledge exchange and regional collaboration. The course aims to build biotechnological capacity within the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region, empowering researchers to contribute innovative solutions to public health challenges.
The course is structured to blend lectures from international experts with hands-on laboratory sessions, allowing participants to understand advanced biotechnological methods comprehensively. The content is divided into four modules that progress from foundational concepts to advanced applications. This ensures a well-rounded training experience equips participants to implement these methods in their research settings.
The course is intended for young researchers, postdoctoral fellows, advanced graduate students, and early-career scientists from the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region working in biotechnology, molecular biology, parasitology, or related disciplines. The target audience should have a basic understanding of molecular biology techniques and a strong interest in applying biotechnology to address challenges related to tropical diseases.
Course objectives:
Learn the fundamentals of recombinant DNA technology and protein expression systems.
Master techniques for cloning, expressing, and purifying Cas9 protein in bacterial and eukaryotic systems.
Explore the CRISPR-Cas9 system as a tool for precise genome editing.
Learn to design guide RNAs (gRNAs) for gene targeting in Trypanosoma cruzi.
Understand the delivery methods and optimization of CRISPR-Cas9 components in protozoan parasites.
Perform gene knock-out and knock-in experiments in Trypanosoma cruzi.
Analyze the phenotypic and genotypic effects of gene editing using molecular biology techniques such as PCR, qPCR, sequencing, and protein assays.
Discuss the potential therapeutic applications and implications of edited strains.
Understand the relevance of genome editing and protein engineering in developing biotechnological solutions for diseases prevalent in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Discuss ethical, regulatory, and biosafety aspects of genome editing in pathogenic organisms.
Scholarships application procedure
Interested candidates will be required to submit a curriculum vitae (CV), a letter of motivation, a letter of recommendation (advisor) and an abstract for oral presentation during the course. Please write to the email address lisandro.pacheco@unisimon.edu.co
Last day to apply: April 7th, 2025.
