Science & Cocktails: Genetically modifying everything?

Science & Cocktails is a series of public talks by scientists with live music and smoky dry-ice chilled cocktails in your hand. 

19:30 doors open for cocktails
19:45 Benjamin Fro (live band)
20:30 John van der Oost (talk)

Event in English, semi-seated.

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Genetically modifying everything? – The CRISPR-Cas Revolution 
What is CRISPR-Cas and how can it be used to genetically modify everything? Can it be used to cure genetic diseases? Is it promising or does it promise too much? Who profits most of CRISPR-Cas applications?  

Just like people, bacteria have to deal with viral infections. And again just like people, these bacteria have developed several anti-virus mechanisms. One example of this is the bacterial CRISPR-Cas system. After its discovery in 2005, we extensively investigated how the system works. CRISPR-Cas enzymes specifically recognize DNA of viruses, after which it is cut in pieces to neutralize the viral infection. We discovered that the target specificity of these DNA cutting enzymes can easily be adapted. This means that we are able to cut any chromosome - which consists of DNA – in any desired place and make a change at this location. This means that we can use CRISPR enzymes to cut any DNA, not only of viruses, but also the chromosomes of bacteria, plants and animals.  

These elemental insights have led to a revolution. The bacterial defense system can now be used for many applications, ranging from biotechnology (such as micro-organisms and plants) to gene therapy in humans. Perhaps even more is possible, but do we want this…?

Benjamin Fro
Benjamin Fro is a rapper and singer whose unique blend of hip-hop, soul and jazz moves every audience both physically and mentally. His influences include artists such as Gil Scott Heron, The Roots and Anderson Paak.

In 2022, Fro presented the summer EP "Remember Summer" i.c.w. Noa Lauryn, with which they toured the Netherlands and Germany with their live band.

Fro began his solo career in 2017 with the release of his debut album Talking About Life. This was followed by the album Behave. With the song The Park, he scored a hit in Poland. In the following years, Fro released 5 more EPs and a handful of singles. For this he collaborated with artists such as Akwasi, Halder and Multibeat. With these, he gained more than 1 million streams. With his five-member band he sold out venues such as Paradiso and Melkweg and managed to play many festivals.