CRISPR: A Revolutionary Gene Editing Tool
Maria Sen Vallipparampil
Honors Project: “CRISPR: A Revolutionary Gene Editing Tool”
Honors Course: Honors General College Biology
Instructor: Kalpa Patel
My name is Maria Sen Vallipparampil. I'll be graduating from Oakton in Spring 2025 with an Associate in Science, Biology Pre-major, and I completed the Honors Scholar Designation in Spring 2024. I plan on transferring to the University of Illinois, Chicago in fall 2025 to complete my Bachelors degree in Biology with a Pre Med track. Through all the honors classes I took, I was able to deepen my knowledge and develop skills like research, critical thinking, and communications which are paving a foundation for the rest of my classes.
My Honors project primarily focuses on the revolutionary gene-editing tool CRISPR. In my research, I first introduced CRISPR, followed by a brief overview of other gene-editing tools and their applications. I then provided a detailed explanation of how CRISPR functions in bacteria, its discovery, and its mechanism. Additionally, I explored a real-world application of CRISPR in treating sickle-cell anemia, concluding with a discussion on its limitations. I am incredibly grateful to Dr. Patel for agreeing to collaborate with me on this Honors contract. She played a crucial role in guiding me through the research process, ensuring I fully understood how CRISPR works, which allowed me to conduct an in-depth analysis for both my paper and presentation. Her mentorship helped me complete my project to a high standard, and I truly appreciate her support throughout this journey.
