Call for papers - Advances in genome editing strategies

Guest Editor

Shun-Qing (Simon) Liang, PhD, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, USA

Submission Status: Open | Submission Deadline: 8 January 2026

BMC Methods is calling for submissions to our Collection on "Advances in genome editing strategies." This Collection invites researchers to contribute their work on the latest methodologies and applications in genome editing technologies. This Collection aims to showcase research that explores advancements in CRISPR-Cas9, and other editing techniques, and their use in different fields, including agriculture, biotechnology and medicine.

Submit to Collection

Meet the Guest Editor

Back to top

Shun-Qing (Simon) Liang, PhD, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, USA

Dr Liang is an Assistant Professor of Medicine, and his research focuses on the applications of CRISPR-mediated genome editing for gene therapy and cancer research. As a graduate student at University of Bern, Switzerland, he investigated drug resistance mechanisms in lung cancer with FGFR1 amplification and KRAS mutation using CRISPR-based knockout screens. This provided him with a deep understanding of how CRISPR technology can be leveraged to elucidate drug resistant mechanisms. During his postdoc training at the University of Massachussetts medical school, he and his team developed an improved prime editor (PE) capable of generating orthotopic liver cancer models and correcting E342K mutations in PiZ mice. To address safety concerns, they developed two technologies: GUIDE-tag (for SpCas9) and PE-tag (for PE). These tools enable genome-wide profiling of off-target sites in mammalian cell lines and adult mouse liver. Additionally, they developed and validated a dual adeno-associated virus (AAV) CRISPR platform capable of effective editing in the mouse lung. To reduce immune responses and enable repeated dosing, they tested a combinatorial library of biodegradable ionizable lipids to create inhalable delivery vehicles for Cas9 mRNA and sgRNA. These lipid nanoparticles efficiently mediate gene editing in lung epithelium. These systems provide powerful platforms for in vivo delivery of PE system for E342K correction. As an independent PI, he aims to harness the capabilities of CRISPR to develop precise and targeted genome-editing strategies tailored to the challenges of lung and liver disease.

About the Collection

Genome editing technologies have revolutionized the field of molecular biology, providing unprecedented precision and efficiency in modifying genetic material. Techniques such as CRISPR-Cas9, TALENs, and ZFNs have enabled researchers to conduct targeted modifications in a variety of organisms, from bacteria to plants and animals. In particular, CRISPR has emerged as the most widely used and versatile tool, offering ease of use, cost-effectiveness, and the ability to make highly specific edits with minimal off-target effects.

The significance of advances in genome editing strategies extends beyond their ability to generate novel genetic modifications; it also lies in their potential to transition from concept to clinical application. These advancements enable the creation of more accurate cellular and animal models of pathological processes, with recent breakthroughs having led to the development of gene therapies for previously untreatable diseases, enhanced crop resilience in the face of climate change, and improved biotechnological applications.

The ability to edit genomes has profound implications for agriculture, medicine, and biotechnology, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in genetic research. As genome editing continues to evolve, the refinement and dissemination of standardized protocols is crucial for ensuring reproducibility and accessibility of these techniques across the research community. With this in mind, BMC Methods is opening this collection on "Advances in genome editing strategies.” Topics of interest include:

Genome editing tools advancements and applications
In vivo genome editing
Multiplex genome editing strategies
Genome editing in agriculture
Gene therapies
Applications of genome editing in disease modeling
Genome editing tools across model organisms
Genome editing in bacteria and Archea
AI-driven gene editing
Advancements in delivery systems

All manuscripts submitted to this journal, including those submitted to collections and special issues, are assessed in line with our editorial policies and the journal’s peer review process. Reviewers and editors are required to declare competing interests and can be excluded from the peer review process if a competing interest exists.

There are currently no articles in this collection.

Submission Guidelines

Back to top

This Collection welcomes submission of original original Methodology and Protocol Articles. Should you wish to submit a different article type, please read our submission guidelines to confirm that type is accepted by the journal. Articles for this Collection should be submitted via our submission system, Snapp. During the submission process you will be asked whether you are submitting to a Collection, please select "Advances in genome editing strategies" from the dropdown menu.

All manuscripts submitted to this journal, including those submitted to collections and special issues, are assessed in line with our editorial policies and the journal’s peer review process. Reviewers and editors are required to declare competing interests and can be excluded from the peer review process if a competing interest exists.