Today, October 20 is World CRISPR day, the day CRISPR was first used to edit a human genome — was established to celebrate its transformative impact on science, medicine and biotechnology.
CRISPR, which is short for Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats, is a powerful gene-editing technology that research scientists use to selectively modify the DNA of living organisms so they can study gene function in disease, develop diagnostic tests and identify novel treatments.
CRISPR was discovered in bacterial immune systems and works by acting when a virus attacks, save tiny pieces of the viral bacterial DNA. The next time the virus appears, the bacteria use CRISPR and a protein called Cas9 to locate and destroy the invader’s DNA.
For World CRISPR Day Clemson News highlighted two of the department’s faculty who use CRISPR in their research to advance human health.
Stephen Dolan
Dr. Stephen Dolan’s lab focuses on Aspergillusfumigatus, a fungal pathogen responsible for serious infections, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. By generating and studying fungal mutant strains using CRISPR, Dolan’s team investigates how Aspergillus responds to infection-relevant stressors and antifungal treatments.
“CRISPR has allowed us to move beyond the well-adapted lab strains we used to rely on. Now we can edit genes in pathogens taken directly from patients or the environment to better understand how they survive and cause disease,” he said.
Jennifer Mason
Dr. Jennifer Mason works on DNA damage and repair, studying how cells respond to DNA damage, including damage caused by sunlight exposure.
Mason obtains cancerous and non-cancerous cell lines from human patients and predicts the genes essential for that DNA repair. She then uses CRISPR-Cas9, an enzyme, to knock the gene out. Once the gene is knocked out, she monitors a mutant or knockout cell line to see if the cell can still repair DNA damage.
Before CRISPR, many DNA repair experiments that make specific changes or knockouts would not have been feasible due to cost and time.
“I got my Ph.D. in human genetics in 2010, and we were limited to the availability of patient cell lines where patients with these disorders consent to having skin biopsies taken,” Mason says.
Associate professor Rajan Sekhon along with a team of researchers at Clemson University and partner organizations have received a $2.4 million, four-year grant to map genes that control leaf senescence in corn. Funded by the National Science Foundation through both the Plant Genome Research Program and the Cross-Directorate Activities program, this project aims to sustain photosynthesis longer, improve yield stability and support smarter on-farm nitrogen use.
“Our goal is to set the timing of leaf senescence so plants stay productive when it counts and still finish cleanly for harvest, which can also help keep more nitrogen working on the farm,” Sekhon said.
This project will determine when senescence, which is the aging process where plants recycle nutrients, begins and how quickly it proceeds. Sekhon’s group will map the genes and regulatory switches that control senescence by using a systems genetics approach that integrates physiology, metabolomics, transcriptomes, chromatin accessibility and single cell RNA sequencing. Artificial intelligence, primarily large language models (LLMs) and machine learning, along with advanced statistical methods, will combine these data to pinpoint genes and regulatory switches that set senescence timing in corn and possibly other crops.
“While we’re focused on the process of senescence, we are developing methods and datasets that can translate to other traits and crops,” he said.
Nitrogen is essential for protein formation in corn because it is a fundamental component of amino acids, the building blocks of all proteins.
“Most kernel protein is storage protein with limited amino acid balance, so lowering total kernel protein does not automatically reduce nutritional value. If we get the timing of leaf senescence right, we can keep yield steady and, over time, help more nitrogen remain on the farm.”
If you haven’t already, you’ll probably spot freshman biochemistry student Jackson Miller on the paint line at Clemson games, whether it’s on the jumbotron or even on ESPN. Jackson is passionate about all things Clemson, Disney, sports, family and his future dentistry career.
“Originally from the small town of Lake Wylie, SC located just outside of Charlotte, NC, I come from a small family of four that brings me constant joy and laughter. We are probably the biggest Disney fans on the face of Earth. This Christmas I will be making my 24th trip and I couldn’t be more excited since I will be there on Christmas day for the first time.”
Jackson attended a small private Christian school called Gaston Christian School with only 1,000 students from kindergarten through 12th grade. This small, tight-knight community is what led him to Clemson.
“That is what played a huge role in my college search. I wanted to find a college that gave me that same feeling as my school back home, family. Clemson was just that for me. As soon as I walked on campus, I could feel the love and family.”
Since being on campus for a few months, he has found everyone to be friendly and loves the people and connections made so far from in the Shoeboxes to Central Spirit, which is the club that Jackson has gotten most involved in.
“Central Spirit is such a great and tight community where we are constantly having fun. That being from yelling at games in hopes of helping our Tigers to victory or goofing off while at flag practice. The community has welcomed me so quickly and it has been such a blessing to have these people in my life.”
As an aspiring orthodontist, the biochemistry department seemed like a perfect fit for Jackson, providing the perfect blend of chemistry and biology. It is also a huge plus that our program is an excellent preparer for the DAT.
“I have met so many dentists and orthodontists telling me how it is a great program here at Clemson and a great way to be prepared for a dental school wherever I end up. The hope is to be able to help other kids like my sister feel more confident with their smiles and less scared of the people behind the mask at the dentist office.”
Now almost halfway through his first semester, Jackson is enjoying college life, getting involved in organizations and immersing himself in his studies.
“It is a true blessing to be at the school I wanted to be at more than anywhere else.”
Today, September 17th, is International Microorganism Day, raising awareness of the importance of microorganisms within our daily lives. Though tiny and can’t be seen with the naked eye, most are harmless and some are even beneficial, however, others can make us sick.
To commemorate the day, Clemson News highlighted three College of Science faculty members whose research involves microorganisms, including genetics and biochemistry’s Dr. Manuel Fierro and his research with the cell biology of the microorganism that causes malaria.
Malaria is caused by a single-cell eukaryotic parasite that invades other cells. Fierro investigates the different biological pathways necessary for the parasite’s survival. Malaria has developed resistance to every anti-malarial drug.
“That’s why my type of research is important to continue increasing knowledge about malaria and which biological pathways or proteins are critical for its survival. That can then inform the rest of the community, and it could result in another much needed anti-malarial,” Fierro says.
Lenox Hill Neurosurgery is a top destination for advanced cranial and spinal care, consistently ranking among the best hospitals in the world for neurosurgery by annual rankings in U.S. News & World Report.
Griffin is not new to research. While an undergraduate he performed research in Dr. James Morris’ lab where he studied the metabolism of T. brucei and Nagleria Fowleri.
This also isn’t Griffin’s first time at Lenox Hill. One summer, he had the opportunity to shadow in the Department of Neurosurgery at Lenox Hill Hospital – the very same department he works in now.
“This experience affirmed my passion to pursue a career in medicine and my interest in neurosurgery.”
Griffin is using his time at Lenox Hill to hone in on and perfect his research skills before applying to medical school and is finding his time valuable.
“It’s going great! I’ve really enjoyed learning how to use clinical research and technology to optimize patient care. I’ve spent a lot of time exploring ways to incorporate AI into neurosurgical practice.”
Congrats and continued good luck to recent graduate Griffin!
Elizabeth Polatty (left) and Evgenia Zheltov (right).
Two students from the Department of Genetics and Biochemistry joined the National Scholars Program(NSP), which serves students from all majors who demonstrate a unique combination of academic excellence, intellectual curiosity, leadership ability and demonstrated impact on their local and global communities.
Scholars were chosen from more than 6,000 applications to the Honors College. They receive personalized support to develop their leadership skills and deepen their academic experience, equipping them to excel in the classroom and beyond. Many National Scholars go on to earn major University awards and nationally competitive fellowships.
The National Scholars Program strives to create a transformative community offering life-changing experiences and developing thoughtful scholar-leaders who listen, critically examine their place in the world, and use their talents to serve.
Dr. Robert Anholt was asked by Chem Senses to write the obituary for well-renowned artist and scientist Bert Menco when he passed earlier this summer after the pair had worked together for years.
At the Louvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology at the Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium.
In the session “Biotechnology approaches for animal and crop improvement and environmental risk assessment of genetically engineered organisms” of the Society For In Vitro Biology 2025 Meeting in Norfolk, VA.
At Lanzhou University as a part of their seminar series.
At the International Pastureland and Forage Industry Congress 2025 in Hulunbuir, China.
Dr. Stephen Dolan and Ph.D. students Jessica Aycock, Shafi Mondal and Lindsay Pauls attended the Gordon Research Seminar & Conference on Microbial Adhesion and Signal Transduction in Newport, RI, where all three gave research presentations.
Zane Tolbet, a Ph.D. candidate, gave an oral presentation at the Midwest DNA Repair Symposium at the University of Michigan.
Dr. Fabio Morgante was invited to speak at the CM Statistics 2024 conference in London and at Clemson University for the Medical Biophysics Seminar Series. The titles of his talks were “A variational empirical Bayes approach to multivariate multiple regression, with applications to polygenic prediction” and “Exploiting Complexity to Improve Phenotype Prediction,” respectively.
Post doctoral fellow Anurag Chaturvedi gave an oral presentation, titled “Unravelling toxicogenomics: From single cell to populations” as part of a workshop at the Drosophila Research Conference in San Diego.
Dr. Robert Anholt presented a workshop presentation skills and was a panel member of a grant review writing session at the 2025 SC INBRE Career Development Workshop at the USC School of Medicine in Columbia, SC. He also served on the NIH Special Emphasis Panel/Scientific Review Group for Program Projects: Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) Phase 1.
Dr. James Morris received the grant “Optimization of delivery of HEX for treatment of primary amebic encephalitis” from the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences/NIH.
Dr. Rajan Sekhon received a $2.4M NSF grant, titled “BIO-AI: RESEARCH-PGR: Harnessing Multi-Omics and AI/ML to Unveil Nutrient Recycling Mechanisms in Maize Senescence,” a collaboration between Clemson University (lead), Cornell University, and the University of Florida. The project uses systems genetics and AI/ML to identify key mechanisms of maize leaf senescence and nutrient remobilization, guiding improvements in nitrogen use efficiency, grain quality, and crop resilience.
Graduate students Xiaotong Chen and Zhaohui Chen were awarded travel grants to attend 2025 Society for In Vitro Biology Meeting held in Norfolk, VA in June.
Dr. Andrew Jezewski was awarded a South Carolina Department of Agriculture – Agribusiness Center for Research and Entrepreneurship (SCDA-ACRE) grant to study “Biocontrol of Salmonella using nutritional yeasts.”
Post doctoral fellow Anurag Chaturvedi received a $25,000 grant from the Clemson University Research Foundation to develop high-throughput screening of drugs using Drosophila.
Doctorate student Zane Tolbert pictured winning an award in the middle.
Ph.D. student with Dr. Jennifer Mason, Zane Tolbert, was awarded second place for his poster presentation titled, “Nascent strand degradation and genomic instability in FANCD2 and FANCA deficient cells requires RAD54L-mediated fork reversal” at the Inaugural Symposium on Genome Integrity and Chromatin Regulation at UNC-Charlotte.
Dr. Michael Sehorn received the Clemson University National Scholars Program Award of Distinction.
Biochemistry alum Adam Gatch ’25 has received a Fulbright research award to study abroad in Munich, Germany at Ludwig Maximilian University. Adam has respectfully declined the Germany Fulbright offer after earning a Churchill scholarship earlier in the spring.
Ph.D. student under Dr. Stephen Dolan, Jessica Aycock was honored with the Cell Press Best Poster Award at the Gordon Research Seminar & Conference on Microbial Adhesion and Signal Transduction in Newport, RI.
Graduate student Xiaotong Chen was awarded the first prize for poster presentation competition in the 2025 Society for In Vitro Biology Meeting.
Dr. Robert Anholt joined the Advisory Board of the Blackland Charity Initiative, Ghana.
Graduate student Bibhu Simkhada attended the summer course on Neurobiology of Drosophila at the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratories. He also won second place in the Clemson iGRADS video competition and the people’s choice award for his video on Sanfilippo disease.
Dr. Kim Paul recently celebrated 20 years with Clemson Univeristy.
Naegleria fowleri is a rare and complex infection that is severely underresearched. After a case was confirmed in the state, the news outlet WYFF reached out to Clemson University’s Eukaryotic Pathogen’s Innovation Center and its post doctoral fellow Dr. Jillian MeKon, who focuses on these organisms.
