CRISPR is one of the most consequential scientific discoveries of the 21st century, giving scientists the ability to edit genes with precision and opening new possibilities for treating genetic diseases, improving crops, and advancing personalized medicine. BDG Lifesciences' 10-Day CRISPR & Gene Therapy program introduces high school students to the fundamentals of genome editing and the practical computational workflow behind CRISPR-based research, delivered through ten live sessions of 60–90 minutes over Zoom.

Day 1 establishes the conceptual foundation, covering genes, genomes, and mutations; an overview of genome editing and the limitations of conventional editing tools; the origin and biological basis of CRISPR systems; CRISPR-Cas terminology; an introduction to gene therapy including the distinction between somatic and germline therapy; major therapeutic applications; and an overview of ethics and biosafety considerations. Days 2 through 4 take students through the CRISPR design workflow in depth: retrieving nucleotide and exonic sequences, predicting single guide RNAs (sgRNAs) using multiple bioinformatics servers, comparing different sgRNA design platforms, and evaluating sgRNA quality based on parameters such as GC content, self-complementarity, mismatch tolerance, and target specificity.

Day 5 covers off-target analysis and specificity assessment, including in silico off-target prediction tools, mismatch analysis, and interpretation of specificity scores. Day 6 focuses on sgRNA efficiency and editing performance, covering guide efficiency scoring, sequence context and positional biases, and the influence of chromatin accessibility on editing outcomes. Day 7 introduces base editing and prime editing, distinguishing these newer techniques from nuclease-mediated double-strand-break editing, and covering adenine and cytosine base editors along with prime editing guide design concepts. Day 8 covers primer design and HDR (Homology Directed Repair) template design, including donor template architecture and homology arm planning for insertion, correction, and repair strategies.

Day 9 explores the structural and functional interpretation of CRISPR systems, including the structural overview of Cas proteins, protein-RNA-DNA interaction concepts, and the mechanistic basis of PAM recognition, target binding, and cleavage. The program concludes on Day 10 with integration of the complete CRISPR workflow, discussion of applications in inherited disorders, cancer, and functional genomics, real-world case study discussion, and a review of limitations and regulatory considerations.

This program is designed for students interested in genetics and molecular biology, medicine and gene therapy, biotechnology careers, science fair research projects, or future biomedical research pathways. Sessions are led by trainers with research backgrounds in bioinformatics, computational biology, molecular modeling, and genomics, several of whom have mentored students to science fair recognition and peer-reviewed publication. Each session includes a written summary and recording for later review, and participants receive a Certificate of Completion from BDG Lifesciences.

The program fee is $275 USD.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do students need prior genetics or coding experience to join this CRISPR program?
No prior coding experience is required. The program starts with foundational concepts in genes, genomes, and genome editing before progressing into guided computational work, making it accessible to high school students with a general interest in biology or medicine.

What computational tools and skills will students use to design CRISPR experiments?
Students use multiple bioinformatics servers to predict and evaluate sgRNAs, perform off-target and specificity analysis, score guide efficiency, design primers, and build HDR donor templates, mirroring the actual computational workflow used by genome editing researchers.

What is the difference between this CRISPR program and a typical gene editing overview course?
This program goes beyond explaining what CRISPR is. Students perform the full design workflow themselves, including sgRNA prediction and evaluation, off-target specificity assessment, base and prime editing concepts, and primer/HDR template design, working through real-world case study applications throughout the program.

Does this program cover base editing and prime editing, or only standard CRISPR-Cas9?
The program covers standard nuclease-mediated CRISPR-Cas9 editing as well as newer base editing and prime editing techniques, including adenine and cytosine base editors and prime editing guide design concepts, along with their relative advantages and limitations.

How long is the program and how are sessions delivered?
The program runs for 10 consecutive days, with one live session of 60 to 90 minutes per day delivered over Zoom. Each session includes a written summary for revision, and recordings are shared for future reference.

What is the cost of the program and what does it include?
The program costs $275 USD and includes ten live sessions, daily session summaries, recordings of all sessions, and a Certificate of Completion upon successful program completion.

Why is the registration fee charged in Australian Dollars (AUD) if the program fee is listed in USD?
Registration and payment are processed through Humanitix, our Australian payment platform. The ticket price shown in AUD at checkout is equivalent to the USD fee listed on this page, based on the prevailing exchange rate at the time of payment.