Michele Calos

Biography

Michele Calos is Professor of the Department of Genetics. Her Lab is interested in developing novel gene and cell therapy approaches to address human diseases.

Research Interest

To develop a stem cell therapy for muscular dystrophy, we are using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) derived from patients, using non-integrating reprogramming methods. We carry out precise genome engineering to edit mutations and add therapeutic sequences to the iPSC genome, using CRISPR/Cas9, homologous recombination, and phage integrases to mediate sequence-specific gene editing and genomic integration. The corrected cells are differentiated into muscle precursors and transplanted back to the patient, where they can engraft and produce healthy muscle fibers.