Addison Hill recently attended the 2nd CRISPR MEDiCiNE Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark.The
scientific conference brought together stakeholders in the therapeutic gene editing
field to learn and share information about the latest tools, delivery methods, safety,
functional genomics, standards, regulations, and pre-clinical research and clinical
trials.
Ms. Hill’s poster, “Targeting Hepatitis B Virus: CRISPR/Cas9 as a Novel Therapeutic Tool,” was accepted for presentation and is one of the first Department of Biomedical Sciences student posters focusing on CRISPR to be presented at a conference.It shows further validation that a synthetic gRNA/Cas9 RNP-based approach utilized in the Yao lab shows promising results as novel therapeutic for the eradication of chronic HBV infection. Ms. Hill explained, “Specifically, our gRNA5, which targets the HBV P and S genome, and gRNA9, targeting the P and X genome, in combination, are highly effective in suppressing HBV replication and expression.”
In addition, Ms. Hill stated, “I would like to express my sincerest gratitude to Dr. Zhi Q. Yao and Dr. Jonathan Moorman for their invaluable support and mentorship, and for providing me with the opportunity to attend and present my research at the CRISPR MEDiCiNE Conference. Presenting a poster at an international conference was an incredibly rewarding experience that allowed me to engage with leading experts in the field and build professional connections with researchers in many different roles. This opportunity allowed me to gain valuable experience in presenting my research to a large audience of researchers and has greatly enhanced my academic career as a PhD student. I would like to reiterate my gratitude to Dr. Yao and Dr. Moorman for their continued encouragement and for believing in my work. I am truly grateful for the chance to represent our lab and contribute to the important conversations regarding the advancements in our field.”Dr. Zhi Q. Yao went on to say, “I am pleased that Addison represented East Tennessee State University, Quillen College of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, and my lab as she presented her student research.She is an integral part of our ongoing work that explores CRISPR as a therapeutic tool for HBV and HIV.”
Ms. Hill is a second-year student in the Department of Biomedical Sciences PhD program.She is a student in Dr. Zhi Q. Yao’s lab.