Targeted Genome Editing Using
Zinc Finger Nucleases

Please note that directly preceeding this course on Monday 5 December 2011 there is an EMBL Symposium The Use of Zinc Finger Nucleases for the Development of Next Generation Cell Lines and Animal Models at EMBL Heidelberg.  For more information please click here

Zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs) enable manipulation of the genome with unprecedented ease and precision. ZFNs are a class of engineered DNA-binding proteins that facilitate targeted editing of the genome by creating double-strand breaks (DSBs) in DNA at user-specified locations. DSBs are important for site-specific mutagenesis in that they stimulate the cell's natural DNA-repair processes, namely homologous recombination and non-homologous end joining. Using well-established and robust protocols, these cellular processes can be harnessed to generate precisely targeted genomic edits resulting in cell lines, including somatic cell lines, with targeted gene deletions (knockouts), integrations, or modifications. Featured lectures will provide in-depth discussion on the fundamentals of ZFNs as well as cutting edge applications for targeted gene knockout, integration and tagging. Additionally, each of the participants will conduct laboratory exercises to become proficient in various techniques for ZFN delivery, identification of mutants, and methods for quantitating ZFN efficiency. Registrants should be familiar with basic mammalian cell culture techniques, PCR and cloning.

This course is organised in cooperation with: