WILMINGTON, DE — ChristianaCare’s Gene Editing Institute has secured a prominent place on The Scientist’s Top 10 Innovations list for 2024, with its CRISPR in a Box™ teaching toolkit ranked as the #2 innovation of the year. This hands-on educational tool has empowered over 1,000 students in 2024 alone, offering an accessible introduction to one of the most transformative technologies in modern science.
CRISPR in a Box™ provides a practical, interactive experience, allowing students to conduct a real gene-editing experiment within a three-hour lab session. The toolkit is designed to seamlessly integrate with classroom lesson plans, helping students develop essential laboratory skills including centrifugation, bacterial transformation, DNA isolation, data analysis, and micropipetting. By utilizing non-infectious E. coli cells, the kit ensures a safe, straightforward experience, with experiment results observable within 24 hours.
Recognized as the only educational tool on The Scientist’s prestigious list, CRISPR in a Box™ exemplifies the growing emphasis on bringing advanced scientific concepts into pre-collegiate classrooms. The Scientist has highlighted innovations in life sciences research since 2008, and CRISPR in a Box™ was commended for its role in advancing STEM education.
“This award celebrates the power of education to demystify CRISPR technology and inspire young minds,” said Amanda Hewes, M.S., education program manager at the Gene Editing Institute. “Students not only learn cutting-edge science but also gain the confidence and skills to envision themselves contributing to the future of health care.”
The toolkit has also earned recognition as a finalist in the Best of STEM 2023 Awards, further underscoring its significance in transforming science education. Its innovative approach demonstrates how seemingly complex technologies can become approachable tools for discovery, empowering the next generation of scientists from their very first experiment.
ChristianaCare’s CRISPR in a Box™ represents a milestone in making advanced scientific tools more accessible and serves as a bridge between theoretical learning and practical application, inspiring curiosity and innovation among future leaders in science and medicine.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.