The unifying theme of Dr. Kim Cooper’s research program centers on identifying the developmental and genetic mechanisms that reshaped the vertebrate limb during evolution. Soon after Dr. Cooper established a laboratory, as an Assistant Professor, colleagues at UCSD (Drs. Bier and Gantz) demonstrated the first CRISPR-Cas9 mediated gene drives in insects. Their findings nucleated a group of laboratories at UCSD, including that of Dr. Cooper, these groups are now working synergistically to adapt CRISPR-Cas9 gene drives in a variety of vertebrate species. Cooper’s lab is spearheading efforts to identify the conditions for efficient CRISPR-Cas9 mediated gene drive in mice. Work in Cooper’s lab, on mice, is about one year more advanced than that planned in the rat, the promoters Cooper’s lab identifies will have a direct translation to the Rat. The unique environment at UCSD and the consultation available will allow us to complete the stated objectives in the time frame of these grants.