2025 Genome Writing Workshop

The Dark Matter Project will hold a free online workshop on the application of synthetic genomics (genome writing) in mammalian cells. The Workshop will include one introductory session (open to all) in which we’ll highlight the applications and (our) technologies for building Big DNAs and delivering them to mammalian genomes, as well as their bioethical considerations. Two additional sessions will be offered for a limited number of participant in which we will live-demo the design process for mammalian genome , including how to chose the boundaries of an engineered locus and how to design gRNAs, Big DNA constructs, genotyping strategies and more. We will highlight the use of the UCSC genome browser, BLAST and SnapGene as efficient tools for this design process.

Format and dates:

  • Session 1 (open to all) — Introductory Webinar — December 1, 2025, 9:30 am - 12:00 pm (ET):

    • Applications of mammalian genome writing

    • Introduction to mammalian genome writing technologies — building and delivering Big DNAs

    • Genome writing bioethics considerations

  • Sessions 2+3 (limited participation) — Mammalian Genome Writing Design — December 8 and 15, 2025, 9:30 am - 12:00 pm (ET):

    • Live demonstration of usage of the UCSC genome browser, SnapGene and BLAST for efficient and comprehensive design of genome writing strategies

    • Choosing locus boundaries

    • Designing gRNAs

    • Designing landing pads and Big DNA payloads

    • Designing PCR genotyping strategies

    • Considerations for genome writing verification

  • Session 4 (for graduates of sessions 1-3) — Design-Your-Own-Locus — Time TBD:

    • Participants would be given an opportunity to design their own genome writing strategy of their favorite gene/locus, guided by one of the Dark Matter Project’s genome writing experts.

Prerequisites:

  • Participation in the live-demo Sessions 2-4 is limited to to people with basic knowledge in DNA cloning, CRISPR and mammalian cell and molecular biology

  • Participants must be familiar with the DNA cloning design software SnapGene. Participation in Session 4 requires a fully activated SnapGene license (which we cannot provide, but a 30-day free trial is offered by SnapGene for 1st-time users.

  • Participants must be familiar with the UCSC Genome Browser and with BLAT/BLAST

Applications

Three of the many applications of Big DNA

Our genome writing pipeline

One pipeline to rule them all