Touchpoint 1
MSM Researcher’s Global Team Wins $25 Million Cancer Grand Challenges Award
What is it?
A team at Morehouse College was awarded $25MM to study racial disparities in cancer treatments and patient care. Professor Davis will work together with 14 global universities on this research. An initial focus will be on breast cancer in black women.
Potential message for students:
Will Professor Davis have an edge on doing this research because she is black and is studying black inequities? Do you believe a black patient visiting with a black doctor will have a different outcome than when visiting with a white doctor?
Touchpoint 2
Scaling Up Precision Genome Editing
What is it?
Human diseases often come from genetic mutations inside the body. DNA is permanently changed for some reason, which can lead to diseases. Francisco and his team want to increase the power of CRISPR to edit the genome at the level of a single nucleotide.
Potential message for students:
It’s one thing to replace a part of DNA using CRISPR. It’s another to replace at the AGTC level or base editing. Do you think it’s more dangerous to edit at this base level? Could this level of genomic editing backfire and cause more harm than good?
Touchpoint 3
A protein found in human sweat may protect against Lyme disease
What is it?
Researchers may have discovered a protein in human sweat that 1/3 of people have that can protect them from getting Lyme Disease. Scientists think they may be able to create skin cremes using this protein and it may even lead to treatments for people with Lyme Disease.
Potential message to students:
Do you think we could find the cure for diseases by just studying humans who don’t get that disease? Do you think some of us have natural protections from some diseases?