Training School: CRISPR-Cas9 guide RNA Design Tools and Safety Assessment of Genome Editing

Presentation
Genome Editing to Treat Humans Diseases (GenE-Humdi) COST action (CA21113), chaired by Dr. Benabdellah (Genyo, Spain) and co-chaired by Dr. Alessia Cavazza (UCL, UK) is pleased to announce the first practical training school, of a series of courses related to genome editing (GE) field.
This training school is born from the commitment of the GenE-HumDi network to promote and cultivate incipient European scientist interested in the gene editing field together with its mission to set and share gene editing standards that further support clinical translation. For two days, leading experts in genome-editing-associated genotoxicity will provide students with theoretic foundations and practical skills for the design and evaluation of Cas9 guide RNAs either for basic research or for therapeutic purposes. The course is planned as a small group, face-to-face format to promote excellence and nurture international networking among the attendants.

Topic of the course
Genome editing is a technology that enables targeted modification of discrete DNA sequences that determine health and disease, and recent studies have opened the door for new kind of gene medicine offering treatments to fight diseases yet to be cured. However, a major concern that remains when it comes to applying gene-editing techniques in the clinic, is the possibility of collateral mutations in unintended (off-target) regions of the genome. As gene editing tools present a behavior that is DNA sequence and cell type dependent, the ability to locate and quantify these off-target cleavages in the target cells is a fundamental step to ensure that the safety of the technique meets clinical requirements. The course's specific aim is to enable students and early researchers to become familiar with the bioinformatic analyses and relevant computational tools in order to properly evaluate the safety and specificity of genome-editing tools and protocols.

Course Contents
The syllabus of the course has been developed by experts from Bar-Ilan University (Israel), University College of London (United Kingdom), University of Copenhagen (Denmark), and GENyO (Spain). It includes an introduction to gRNA design, editing evaluation by digital PCR, and next-generation sequencing for off-target detection using bioinformatic tools. The different topics will be covered by a hands-on session to complete the instruction.

Organizing Committee
This Training School is an initiative of the GenE-HumDi network and has been organized by leading experts in gene editing translation and genotoxicity: Dr. Ayal Hendel (Bar-Ilan University), Dr. Karim Benabdellah, Dr. Javier Molina (Genyo), Dr. Stefan Seeman (University of Copenhagen), Dr. Giandomenico Turchiano (University College of London).

Audience
This course is intended to improve the skills of students and early career scientists while providing an environment for personal growth and international networking. Previous experience with bioinformatic software will be valued. The course will be conducted fully in English. Active GenE-HumDi members and early career personnel under their tutelage will be prioritized.

Funding Availability
To promote excellence and international networking GenE-HumDi will select 12 attendants the possibility to attend the practical course in Granada and will open a call for up to 6 TS incentive to help cover the travel expenses following the annotated rules of COST .

Related information
The course is coordinated with the GenE-HumDi kick-off meeting and conference (Granada, March 13th-15th) featuring top GE experts from academia, industry and regulatory bodies which will present the state of Gene Editing tools discovery, optimization, translation, implementation and use regulation. All TS students will be invited to attend to the conference and engage into the GenE-HumDi discussion groups.

Travelling
The course will be held in Granada, Spain on March 16th-17th at the Pfizer-University of Granada-Junta de Andalucía Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research (GENyO). Granada has its own airport located within minutes of the Historic Alhambra Castle, the city center, and the health and technology park where GENyO is located. Granada is close to major travel hubs such as Málaga or Madrid, allowing easy travel to the city by various means of transport: bus, taxi, car, train, and/or high-speed train.

Registration
Please fill out the attached registration form if you are interested in attending the training school.
Registration form (https:\\forms.office.com/r/6fipej6jg )

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