Biotecnika Successfully Hosts 2-Day CRISPR National Workshop on Gene Editing, Bioinformatics, and Career Opportunities
Leading Experts Shared Insights on CRISPR Technology, Bioinformatics Tools, and Future Career Prospects
Date: 23rd March 2025
City: Bengaluru
State: Karnataka, India
Bangalore, India – On March 22-23, 2025, Biotecnika successfully conducted a highly engaging 2-day National Workshop on CRISPR Gene Editing, Bioinformatics, and Career Opportunities. The workshop provided an in-depth understanding of CRISPR technology, molecular toolkits, bioinformatics resources, and career pathways, attracting researchers, students, and biotech professionals eager to explore advancements in gene editing.
With CRISPR-Cas technology revolutionizing genetics, medicine, and biotechnology, this workshop was designed to equip participants with both theoretical knowledge and hands-on exposure to computational tools used in CRISPR research.
Workshop Overview
The two-day event was structured to cover both the fundamentals of CRISPR technology and its real-world applications in research and industry. Day 1 focused on core CRISPR principles, molecular toolkits, and gene editing mechanisms, while Day 2 explored bioinformatics tools, computational analysis, and career prospects in gene editing technologies.
Key Highlights from the Workshop
Day 1: Foundations of CRISPR Technology
Session I: Foundations of CRISPR/Cas
Speaker: Mrs. Tithi Saha
The workshop commenced with an insightful session by Mrs. Tithi Saha
, who introduced participants to the groundbreaking discovery of CRISPR technology and its pivotal role in genome editing. She elaborated on the mechanisms of CRISPR-Cas systems, emphasizing the significance of repair pathways, namely Non-Homologous End Joining (NHEJ) and Homology-Directed Repair (HDR). The session provided a strong foundational understanding of CRISPR’s key components, including guide RNA, Cas enzymes, and their structural aspects, setting the stage for more advanced discussions.
Session II: CRISPR Molecular Toolkit
Speaker: Dr. Saphy Sharda, Senior Researcher, CDFD
Dr. Saphy Sharda, a Senior Researcher at CDFD, took a deep dive into the molecular toolkit of CRISPR, explaining the essential steps involved in guide RNA (gRNA) design and PAM sequence selection. She also discussed vector system selection and the critical decision-making process between viral and non-viral delivery methods for genome editing. Additionally, she highlighted techniques for on-target and off-target detection, an essential aspect of ensuring the precision and safety of CRISPR applications. This session provided participants with a practical approach to designing and optimizing CRISPR-based experiments.
Session III: Expanding the CRISPR Toolbox
Speaker: Mrs. Urmimala Ray
The final session of Day 1, led by Mrs. Urmimala Ray, explored the expanding landscape of CRISPR technologies. She detailed the different CRISPR systems, including Cas9, Cas12, Cas13, prime editing, and base editing, demonstrating their diverse applications in gene editing. She also introduced the concepts of CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) and activation (CRISPRa) as powerful tools for gene regulation. Furthermore, she discussed the emerging reverse transcriptase-CRISPR systems, such as Cas1-Cas2-retron systems, opening new avenues for genome engineering.
Day 2: Bioinformatics, Applications & Career Prospects
Session I: CRISPR Bioinformatics
Speaker: Dr. Elamathi Natarajan
Day 2 began with an engaging session by Dr. Elamathi Natarajan, who provided an overview of CRISPR bioinformatics tools essential for designing and analyzing CRISPR experiments. She introduced participants to CRISPR databases and computational platforms such as CRISPOR, Cas-OFFinder, CRISPResso, CHOPCHOP, and Benchling, which help researchers predict off-target effects and optimize guide RNA designs. She also explained how bioinformatics pipelines can be used to improve the efficiency and accuracy of CRISPR-based experiments, highlighting the crucial role of computational approaches in gene editing.
Session II: CRISPR in Research & Industry
Speaker: Preeti Saroha, Scientist, IIT Delhi
In the second session, Preeti Saroha, a scientist from IIT Delhi, explored the extensive applications of CRISPR across various fields. She demonstrated how CRISPR is being used to generate knock-in and knock-out cell models for research purposes. Additionally, she discussed its transformative impact on disease modeling, particularly in cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. The session also covered CRISPR applications in personalized medicine, microbiology, agriculture, and stem cell research. Furthermore, she highlighted how AI-driven advancements are enhancing CRISPR technology, leading to innovative solutions in genetic engineering.
Session III: Career Prospects & Future Directions
Speaker: Dr. Tanushree Saxena
The final session, presented by Dr. Tanushree Saxena, focused on the future of CRISPR technology and career opportunities in this rapidly evolving field. She explored the latest developments in CRISPR-based diagnostics, including SHERLOCK and DETECTR, as well as applications in synthetic biology and next-generation gene therapies. She provided valuable insights into emerging career paths in CRISPR research, outlining opportunities in academia, biotechnology companies, and research institutions worldwide. Participants also learned about leading institutes in India and abroad offering specialized programs in gene editing and bioinformatics.
The workshop concluded with an interactive quiz, a Q&A session, and a career guidance discussion, allowing participants to engage directly with experts, clarify their queries, and gain deeper insights into the future of CRISPR-based careers. The event was a resounding success, equipping attendees with the latest knowledge and practical skills to excel in the field of genome editing and bioinformatics.
Expert Speakers
Dr. Saphy Sharda
A Senior Researcher at CDFD, Hyderabad, Dr. Sharda specializes in computational chemistry, molecular biology, and genome editing technologies like CRISPR-Cas9. With a PhD in molecular biology, she has extensive expertise in drug discovery, molecular dynamics simulations, and next-generation sequencing data analysis.
Preeti Saroha
A scientist at IIT Delhi, Preeti Saroha, is an expert in synthetic biology, biopharmaceutical technology, and genetic engineering. With over a decade of experience in industrial and academic research, she focuses on microbial strain enhancement and process development for large-scale applications.
About Biotecnika
Biotecnika is India’s leading biosciences education and career platform, serving over 4.5 million subscribers globally. With 18+ years of expertise in life sciences education and biotech industry insights, Biotecnika remains dedicated to advancing biotechnology, bioinformatics, and molecular research.
A Resounding Success!
The CRISPR workshop received overwhelming participation, with attendees praising the clarity, depth, and practical insights shared by the experts. Many participants expressed interest in future hands-on training programs on CRISPR bioinformatics, AI-driven gene editing, and synthetic biology.
Biotecnika extends its gratitude to all speakers and participants for making this event a success. The organization remains committed to delivering cutting-edge knowledge in CRISPR technology, molecular biology, and bioinformatics through future workshops and webinars.
