Harvard University working together with Cytosurge

According to a press release, the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University is collaborating with the start-up Cytosurge. Together they hope to research procedures to effectively make several edits to the genome of individual cells and that may minimize cell toxicity. They are focusing on procedures based on CRISPR technology, which can be used to make targeted edits to the genetic material of cells.

The partners explain in the press release that if this CRISPR-based multiplex gene editing is improved it could advance large-scale initiatives such as developing cell lines for pharmaceutical, clinical, and biotechnological applications. The procedure could also contribute to the resurrection of extinct species of animals, for example.

George Church, a Founding Core Faculty member at the Wyss Institute, explains: “Especially when it comes to the manipulation of cells with entire sets of genome edits in more comprehensive approaches, we still have to improve our ability to maintain the viability and health of cells [...]”

Cytosurge will primarily bring its nanotechnology solutions based on its patented FluidFM technology to the partnership. These facilitate direct injections and sample taking from individual cells without harming them in the process, for example. According to Church, this technology is “an entry point into this complex analysis.”

Cytosurge was founded in 2009 as a spin-off from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETH) and is headquartered in Opfikon ZH.