To close the critical gap between understanding molecular mechanisms and executing them at the laboratory bench, Jio Institute in collaboration with the School of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics (SBB), D. Y. Patil Deemed to be University, organized an intensive four-day hands-on workshop titled “CRISPR Genome Editing Hands-On Workshop: From Basics to Breakthroughs” from August 31 to September 3 2026. Designed not as disjointed demonstrations but as a continuous, cumulative scientific inquiry, the programme guided 21 participants—ranging from first-year undergraduates to doctoral scholars and industry researchers—through an end-to-end genome-editing workflow. Over four rigorous days, the cohort learned to interpret raw experimental data, diagnose unexpected results, and translate molecular biology into actionable disease-focused solutions.
The programme opened at Jio Institute’s Ulwe campus with a ceremonial lamp lighting and inaugural session in the presence of distinguished leadership and academic pioneers. Dignitaries gracing the inauguration included Dr. Praveen Rao, Research Director, Reliance Life Sciences; Dr. V. N. Rajasekharan Pillai, Advisor and Professor of Eminence, Jio Institute; Dr. Debjani Dasgupta, Director, SBB, D. Y. Patil Deemed to be University; and Dr. Naveen P., Academic Lead and Associate Professor at SBB. Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Praveen Rao contextualized the power of CRISPR-Cas9 within the evolving biopharmaceutical landscape, providing participants with a real-world perspective on taking laboratory discoveries to clinical and scalable industrial applications. The academic and laboratory sessions were steered by Workshop Lead and Coordinator Dr. Ankita Bansal (Assistant Professor, Jio Institute) alongside Dr. Mala M. Parab (Assistant Professor, SBB), supported by Jio Institute Research Assistants.
The curriculum moved deliberately from computational design to live bacterial execution and mammalian translation. Day 1, hosted at Jio Institute, immersed participants in molecular biology fundamentals, DNA repair pathways (NHEJ and HDR), and bioinformatics-driven single-guide RNA (sgRNA) design, challenging attendees to assess target specificity and off-target risks for genes such as EMX1, CCR5, and EGFP. Benchwork then transitioned to the laboratories of SBB at D. Y. Patil University for Days 2 and 3. Here, participants performed restriction digestion, vector preparation, agarose gel electrophoresis, gel extraction, ligation, bacterial transformation, and plasmid minipreps. The curriculum further broadened beyond standard Cas9 editing to cover CRISPR interference (CRISPRi), gene regulation, and the logistical bridges needed for mammalian cell transfection and selection.
On the final day, participants analyzed sequencing outputs to verify targeted genomic edits and engaged in an industry-focused technical interaction with Thermo Fisher Scientific, exploring the industrial dimensions of modern gene editing alongside supporting partners Genex and HiMedia. Demonstrating the depth of the learning, 100% of participant groups successfully generated verified clones and presented independent, disease-focused CRISPR proposals. Rather than relying on standard classroom examples, the cohort formulated rationales for over twenty high-impact therapeutic and industrial targets—including HBB for sickle cell disease, TP53 and BRCA1 in oncology, PCSK9 in cardiovascular health, APOE4 for Alzheimer’s, B2M for immune-evasive cell transplantation, and targeted knockouts in agriculture and industrial biosynthesis.
By pairing Jio Institute’s computationally aided experimental design with D. Y. Patil University’s bench infrastructure and direct industry mentorship from Reliance Life Sciences, the workshop established a repeatable pedagogical benchmark for deep-tech biotechnology education. The initiative reinforced Jio Institute’s mission to foster translational research capabilities, empowering the next generation of young scientists with the practical competencies, critical problem-framing abilities, and ethical rigor needed to lead India's bio-economy.