INTRODUCTION

The workshop is tailored to give an overall overview combined with several hands-on laboratory techniques on the state-of-the-art of CRISPR gene editing technology. Researchers, students or anyone, who are either currently employing or interested in learning this gene editing technique, are very much welcomed to attend this workshop. Briefly, this workshop will comprehensively cover several important background and principle aspect of this CRISPR technology; from its initial discovery as part of the adaptive bacteria immune response, gene targeting repurposing in eukaryotic cells up to its current established applications and advancements especially in the field of molecular biology and medical sciences. In addition to the workshop main focus on the CRISPR-Cas9 approach for knocking out genes, we will also introduce the CRISPRi and CRISPRa techniques, the rapidly emerging applications of this CRISPR technology, for genes inhibition and activation purposes, respectively.

Despite a number of similar recently organized workshops in the country, we would like to emphasize several important features that would make this UMBI-organized CRISPR-Cas9 workshop stands out among the rest. In this workshop, the participants will be taught in on how to perform the cost-effective conventional CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing without completely relying on the commercial kits. Moreover, this workshop is organized and facilitated by researchers who have been working extensively on this CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing tool. Thus, the participants will have valuable opportunities to learn, listen and get first-hand experiences on the CRISPR-Cas9 techniques in general as well as tips and tricks, and troubleshooting strategies related to this technique.

In particular, we will teach the participants the complete CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing workflows that include choosing the suitable Cas9 and sgRNAs-expressing vector plasmids, designing the sgRNAs, cloning the sgRNAs into the vector plasmids using the recombinant DNA technology, and vector plasmids delivery into the cells. For the vector plasmids delivery, participant will learn both lipid-based transient transfection and lentiviral transduction techniques. This will be followed by downstream approaches to select or screen for the gene-edited clones such as antibiotic selection, colony picking and cell sorting. Finally, we will also demonstrate how to validate the gene editing efficiency by performing the T7 endonuclease 1 assay.

OBJECTIVES

• To introduce the basic background and principle of CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technique to the participants.
• To discuss the current applications and advancements of the CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing and its related field with the participants.
• To teach the participants on how to design a complete CRISPR-Cas9 experimental workflow.
• To establish UMBI as one of the reference institute for the CRISPR-Cas9-related works in Malaysia.
• To support research in the field of molecular and precision medicine.

TARGET GROUP

The workshop is open for researchers, clinicians, academicians, students or anyone who are either currently working with CRISPR-Cas9 or are interested in learning and utilizing this technique in their research works.

REGISTRATION FEE

• RM1200 (NON-STUDENTS)
• RM1000 (STUDENTS)
• RM1000 (MIN. GROUP OF 3 NON STUDENTS PER PAX)
• RM 800 (MIN. GROUP OF 3 STUDENTS PER PAX)

Registration fee is inclusive of training materials, experiment reagents and meals

*** 15 CPD POINTS WILL BE GIVEN TO MEDICAL DOCTORS ***

Dr. M Aiman Mohtar, Research Fellow/Senior Lecturer, UMBI

Dr M. Aiman Mohtar is currently a Research Fellow at UMBI. He earned his B.Sc. at the Rochester Institute of Technology, New York and M.Sc. at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia studying Biotechnology and Molecular Biology. He holds a PhD from the University of Edinburgh, UK. His PhD thesis focuses on identification of protein-protein interaction network of an oncogenic ER-resident protein. He has been trained as molecular biologist for more than a decade and has involved in research utilizing cutting- edge laboratory techniques such as CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing tools, fluorescence microscopy, phage display and quantitative proteomics. Aiman’s current research focus is studying tumour cell secretory addiction in AGR2-axis and developing scFv monoclonal antibodies targeting pro-oncogenic molecules.

Dr. Saiful Effendi Syafruddin, Research Fellow, UMBI

Dr. Saiful Effendi Syafruddin is a Research Fellow at UMBI. He holds PhD and Master Degree from the University of Cambridge and University of Pennsylvania, respectively. Dr. Fendi has been trained in the cellular and molecular biology field for more than 10 years. His research interests are in cancer functional genetics and experimental metastasis, specifically focusing on the utilisation of advanced laboratory techniques in understanding the mechanisms underlying cancer initiation and progression. Throughout his PhD studies, he extensively utilised the CRISPR-based technologies, including the CRIPSR-Cas9, CRISPRi and CRISPRa system, to elucidate transcriptional dependencies that support renal cell carcinoma progression. Dr. Fendi’s CRISPR-associated research projects have been published in Nature Communications, Cancer Discovery and Scientific Reports.

Dr Jonathan How Guan Zhong , Technical and Applications Manager for NEB

Dr Jonathan How obtained his Doctorate of Philosophy majoring in the field of Biological Sciences from Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore. His research experiences include working on drug development and design, protein analytics and crystallization. He has been involved in applications support over the past 3 years and is a regular speaker at regional conferences and seminars within ASEAN region on various life sciences topics. Presently, Dr How is the Technical and Applications Manager for NEB with focus on Genome Editing including CRISPR-Cas9.

Institut Perubatan Molekul UKM (UMBI)
Jalan Yaacob Latiff, Bandar Tun Razak
56000 Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Fax : +603 – 9171 7185

For any inquiry, please directly contact Aiman (m.aimanmohtar@ppukm.ukm.edu.my); Nurmi (ctnurminasir@ppukm.ukm.edu.my)

The CRISPR-MEDIATED GENE EDITING IN HUMAN CANCER CELL LINES will be held at UKM Medical Molecular Biology Institute (UMBI), Kuala Lumpur that is located just a 15-minute drive away from the heart of Kuala Lumpur city center.

For more information about the venue, please visit the UMBI website at https://www.ukm.my/umbi/.

Please take note that the accommodation is NOT provided. Kindly refer to the Accommodation tab for further information.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT: 

The nearest  MRT station is Taman Pertama/Taman Midah

The nearest LRT stations is Salak Selatan/Bandar Tun Razak

Then take a GRAB or taxi to UMBI.

CAR PARK:

For those who travel by car, we have reserved 20 car parks in the Zone L parking in the UKM Medical Center (see attached map) for a discounted flat rate of RM8 per day for the workshop participants. Please bring the parking ticket to UMBI secretariat to get this flat-rate price.

GOOGLE MAP:

Hotels nearby UMBI:

1. Hotel Sri Permaisuri Cheras (3-star hotel)
2. Hotel EST Kuala Lumpur
3. International Youth Centre (IYC) Residence
4. Vivatel Kuala Lumpur (4-star hotel)
5. Sunway Velocity Hotel (4-star hotel)

Low Budget hotel are also available nearby the UMBI. Please refer to any hotel booking website for further information.

**Important Note : KINDLY BE NOTED THAT THE ORGANIZER WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM OR RESPONSIBILITY IN REGARDS OF THE LISTED ACCOMMODATION ABOVE. FOR ACCOMMODATION BOOKING AND RESERVATION, PLEASE CLICK THE APPROPRIATE LINKS AND FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES IN THE RESPECTIVE WEBSITE.

Aiman (m.aimanmohtar@ppukm.ukm.edu.my); Nurmi (ctnurminasir@ppukm.ukm.edu.my)
Institut Perubatan Molekul UKM (UMBI)
Jalan Yaacob Latiff, Bandar Tun Razak
56000 Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Fax : +603 – 9171 7185