Magdalena Hryhorowicz

Title: CRISPR/Cas9 system in the generation of genetically modified pigs for purpose of xenotransplantation

Abstract:

CRISPR/Cas (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats, CRISPR; CRISPR-associated proteins, Cas) system has revolutionized of genetic engineering research and animal biotechnology. Introducing precise modifications in a specific site of the genome is possible due to cellular processes of repairing double strand DNA breaks induced by Cas9 nuclease. The CRISPR/Cas9 technique, thanks to its high specificity, easy construct design and the ability to introduce several of genes, is one of the most promising methods for obtaining multitransgenic animals. The application of the CRISPR/Cas9 technology in pig-to-human xenotransplantation research has enabled enormous development in this field of science. Xenotransplantation is the use of genetically modified animals as a source of cells, tissues, and organs for transplantation into human recipients and pig (Sus scrofa domestica) is the most suitable species for organ donor. Thanks to CRISPR/Cas9 system, pigs with multi-modifications can be obtained, enabling the reduction immune response to a porcine xenograft and inhibiting the processes leading to xenotransplant rejection.

Biography:

Dr. Magdalena Hryhorowicz studied Biotechnology at the Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poland and graduated as MS in 2010. She then worked at the Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences for two years. After that she joined the research group of Prof. Słomski at the Poznan University of Life Sciences and she received her PhD degree in 2016 at the same institution. The most important achievement of her PhD was the generation and comprehensive characterization of transgenic pigs for purpose of xenotransplantation. Moreover, during her doctorate, she completed an internship at The National Centre for Biotechnology in Madrid (Spain) in the research group of Prof. Lluís Montoliu concerning “CRISPR/Cas9 system- for genetic engineering of large animal models”. In 2016 she obtained the position of an Associate Professor at the Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poland. She has published more than 30 research articles in SCI journals/chapters in the books.