Cromer Lab @ UCSF
Our Focus
The research interest of our lab lies at the intersection of CRISPR-based genome editing and cell engineering with a special focus on hematopoietic stem cells and red blood cells. Our mission is to close the gap between synthetic biology and the clinic in order to address current bottlenecks in treating the hemoglobinopathies and other hematopoietic disorders.
In our work, we think about the genome as computer code. In the instance of disease, the code is somehow broken. While we can correct disease-causing typos, we believe there is untapped potential to cure disease by engineering novel properties into cells. Therefore, all of our work in some way attempts to answer the question – if you could introduce new code to any cell in the body, what would you write and where?
Links to Cromer Lab talks on:
1. A genome engineering toolbox for HSCs (Oct. 28, 2025 at Broad Stem Cell Seminar Series)
2. Using synbio & clinical genetics to engineer erythropoiesis (Mar. 27, 2025 at UCSF Hem/Onc Grand Rounds)
3. Accessibility & affordability of genome editing therapies (Jan. 26, 2024 at Center for Maternal-Fetal Precision Medicine Symposium)
4. Developing gene therapy strategies to treat α-thalassemia (Aug. 23, 2022 at International Quarterly Seminar on Alpha Thalassemia Major)
Interested?
If our work sounds appealing to you, please reach out! We are actively recruiting scientists at all stages of training and welcome collaboration, both within and outside of UCSF.