# Collaborative Research: EDGE FGT: DEVELOPMENT OF FUNCTIONAL GENETIC TOOLS IN GECKOS

> **NIH NIH R01** · MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $368,741

## Abstract

Functional genomic tools, such as CRISPR/cas genome editing, are critical for investigating the
biology of genes and have transformed our understanding of genotype-to-phenotype relationships.
However, the limited number of species with genome modification methods presents a major
bottleneck in implementing comprehensive, comparative studies of gene function. For instance,
squamates (lizard and snakes) include more than 11,000 described species and comprise 40% of all
amniote species. Yet basic gene editing methods are only available in a single species, the brown
anole lizard (Anolis sagrei). Here, we propose to: 1) establish CRISPR/cas gene editing in a second
lizard group, the geckos; 2) develop advanced gene editing methods for the introduction of precise
sequence substitutions, insertions, and deletions in lizards (in both Anolis and geckos); and 3)
disseminate lizard gene editing techniques through training materials and workshops and the
production of genome-edited lizards for researchers. The development of gene editing tools in
geckos will increase the number of squamate models available for functional genomic work and
facilitate the generalization of gene function studies across squamates and amniotes. Furthermore,
growing the functional genomic toolkit in lizards to include more precise gene editing methods will
expand the scope of questions that can be addressed in this phenotypically diverse group.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10795071
- **Project number:** 5R01HG013006-02
- **Recipient organization:** MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Anthony B Gamble
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $368,741
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-03-01 → 2025-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10795071

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10795071, Collaborative Research: EDGE FGT: DEVELOPMENT OF FUNCTIONAL GENETIC TOOLS IN GECKOS (5R01HG013006-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-12 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10795071. Licensed CC0.

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