Delivering a multi-color, cell-based CRISPR experience to low-resource classrooms

CRISPR-based biotechnologies are widely used to diagnose and treat disease, engineer new crops, and examine gene function. The power, simplicity, and effectiveness of CRISPR tools ensure their place as a major biotechnological tool for advancing agriculture, science, and medicine. Thus, education on CRISPR system biology, function, and technology is needed to empower the public regarding the benefits and limitations associated with CRISPR technologies. However, high costs and infrastructure requirements prevent low-resource classrooms from accessing CRISPR-based educational experiences. To address this need, we developed a multicolor, cell-based experience that can be deployed in high school or undergraduate classrooms to educate students about CRISPR biology and biotechnologies. The minimal resource requirements and simplicity of the assay overcome barriers posed by other CRISPR educational tools, providing hands-on access to CRISPR-based experiences for previously unserved and underserved high school and undergraduate students.