Dr. George Church, a pioneer of the Human Genome Project and synthetic biology, discusses cutting-edge gene editing technologies with Rhonda Patrick. Topics include whole-genome synthesis, multiplex editing, and gene therapy targeting PCSK9 for cholesterol and aging. Church also explores using gene drives to combat Lyme disease and shares how his narcolepsy may have fueled creative insights.
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Highlights
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Genome Project-Write and Synthetic Chromosomes00:20:00
Dr. Church discusses the Genome Project-Write, an international effort to synthesize entire genomes, including the human Y chromosome from scratch.
George Church explains how multiplex editing, the ability to edit many genes at once, could lead to radical genetic changes not possible with single-gene edits.
PCSK9 Gene Therapy for Cholesterol Lowering00:57:40
Dr. Church describes a gene therapy approach targeting PCSK9 to permanently lower cholesterol, potentially reducing the need for regular drug injections.
Dr. Church explains how gene drives can be used to spread beneficial traits through wild populations, potentially eradicating diseases like Lyme or malaria.