Strategies for Interdisciplinary Human Gene Editing Research: Insights from a Swiss Project

Abstract

CRISPR gene editing is a cutting-edge technology that has advanced tremendously in recent years. The first clinical CRISPR applications have been approved, and more gene editing therapies are to be expected in human medicine. Consequently, continuous basic research is needed to assess possibilities and prime future clinical applications. Because this technology not only offers new possibilities for treating diseases but also raises important ethical and societal questions, collaboration between human, life, biomedical, and medical sciences is needed. In this article, we discuss the practical challenges of such interdisciplinary projects and present strategies for addressing them based on our experience of conducting an interdisciplinary project on CRISPR. This work aims to help and encourage interdisciplinary collaborations and discussions on modern scientific endeavors that, such as gene editing, tend to blur the lines between traditional disciplines. The strategies suggested include realistic expectations, shared goals, space setting, and expert and lay dialogue.

Fig. 1

Illustration of interdisciplinary Development of PRIDICT. Shared goals are the cohesive centerpiece, with internal and external dialogue framing the discussion besides logistical aspects like expectation management and space setting. The working structure of collaborating at two levels between a core team and an extended team allows the project to progress alongside continual input of all involved disciplines.