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Researchers find substantial portion of U.S. public potentially interested in using genetic technologies to enhance offspring education

A survey found that a substantial portion of Americans are willing to use polygenic embryo screening and gene editing to increase the chances of having a baby admitted to a top-100 ranked college. The study suggests growing interest in using genetic technologies to influence offspring traits, including educational attainment.

SourceGeisinger Health System·JournalScience·DateFeb 9, 2023

New zinc finger model shows promise for gene therapy

Researchers developed a novel technology to engineer proteins targeting specific DNA sequences, offering a new approach to gene therapies. The system generates engineered zinc fingers that bind to any given sequence of DNA, potentially treating diseases caused by genetic mutations.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalNature Biotechnology·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 26, 2023

Optimal genome mapping offers high-resolution method to better see, then target cancer-causing gene variants

A new study standardizes the use of optical genome mapping (OGM) for patients with blood cancers, demonstrating its potential as a frontline test for diagnosing hematologic malignancies. OGM outperforms existing tests in detecting cancer-causing gene variants and identifying additional information that can improve patient outcomes.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·JournalJournal of Molecular Diagnostics·DateJan 17, 2023

Discovery of world’s oldest DNA breaks record by one million years

Scientists have identified two-million-year-old DNA fragments in northern Greenland's Ice Age sediment, providing insights into the past ecosystem and its potential to predict climate change. The discovery has sparked hopes that it could help academics build a picture of the DNA evolution of species still in existence today.

SourceSt. John's College, University of Cambridge·JournalNature·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 7, 2022

New statistical method improves genomic analyzes

A new statistical method called CLIMB provides a more efficient way to analyze genomic data across multiple conditions. The method combines principles from two traditional techniques, reducing computational intensity and producing biologically interpretable results.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature Communications·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 14, 2022

World-first technology to suppress invasive mice

Researchers developed a world-first proof of concept for t-CRISPR technology to control invasive mice. The technology induces female infertility in the target population, eradicating an island population of 200,000 mice in around 20 years.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 9, 2022

Collaborative team at IGB discovers new natural products at unprecedented speed

A collaborative team at IGB discovered 30 new compounds, including three with antibacterial properties, using the Illinois Biological Foundry for Advanced Biomanufacturing. The platform allowed for rapid screening of hundreds of genes and pathways, enabling the researchers to identify potential anti-microbial compounds.

SourceCarl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 18, 2022

Advanced genomic approaches hold promise for marine conservation

Genetic and genomic technologies can protect marine life by identifying illegally harvested seafood products and monitoring disease outbreaks. Assisted evolution and synthetic biology could also benefit ocean ecosystems by introducing beneficial species or manufacturing products in the lab.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateOct 17, 2022

Discovery broadens scope of use of CRISPR gene editing

Researchers at Northwestern University developed a new CRISPR-based therapy platform that can deliver cargo to a broader range of tissue and cell types, increasing its potential for treating various diseases. The platform achieves this by transforming the Cas-9 protein into a spherical nucleic acid and loading it with critical components.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateOct 6, 2022

NTU Singapore scientists’ discovery of the structure of a key part of our chromosomes could improve understanding of how humans age and develop cancer

Scientists from NTU Singapore have discovered that telomeres are stacked in columns like a spring, leaving DNA exposed to damage. This finding could improve understanding of how humans age and develop cancer, with potential treatments for diseases caused by dysfunctional telomeres.

Reading RNA modifications more precisely

Scientists at Kyoto University developed two methods to identify RNA modifications impacting gene regulation and disease. Their approach uses probability algorithms with high-throughput sequencing technology, distinguishing pseudouridine substitutions from other base changes.

SourceKyoto University·JournalGenomics·DateAug 23, 2022

ACP offers guidance on the ethical use of genetic testing and precision medicine

The American College of Physicians (ACP) has issued a position paper on the ethical use of genetic testing and precision medicine in internal medicine. The guidelines address key issues such as incidental findings, education for physicians and patients, and counseling needs. ACP emphasizes the need for ongoing surveillance and anticoag...

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeLiterature review·DateJul 25, 2022

CRISPR therapeutics can damage the genome

A new study from Tel Aviv University found that CRISPR therapeutics can lead to a significant loss of genetic material in treated cells, potentially destabilizing the genome and promoting cancer. The researchers detected up to 10% of cells with lost chromosomes, highlighting the need for extra care when using this technology.

SourceTel-Aviv University·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateJul 24, 2022

Evolve… innovate… repeat: Scientists peel back the layers of virus-host evolution and innovation

Researchers track changes in fitness landscapes as viruses and hosts undergo ongoing survival competition. The study reveals that coevolution propels adaptations, with viruses innovating to overcome host resistance. This new understanding provides a quantitative framework for predicting evolution in coevolving ecological communities.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournaleLife·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 12, 2022

Scientists map networks of disease-associated immune genes

Researchers created a detailed map of how immune genes function together, shedding light on the basic drivers of immune cell function and immune diseases. The study found interconnected regulatory networks that can help explain why mutations in different genes lead to the same disease or how drugs impact multiple immune proteins.

SourceGladstone Institutes·JournalNature Genetics·DateJul 11, 2022

Emu stands tall at detecting bacteria species

The Emu project effectively identifies bacterial species by leveraging long DNA sequences spanning the entire length of the gene under study. This approach facilitates the analysis of key genes in microbiome researchers' efforts to sort out harmful and helpful bacteria.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Methods·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 30, 2022

Genetic test can diagnose certain immune system disorders

Researchers developed a genetic test that diagnoses primary immunodeficiency disorders (PID), revealing inherited genetic defects in nearly half of patients. The test uses next-generation sequencing technology to identify specific gene variants associated with PID, enabling targeted treatment and earlier intervention for family members.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Molecular Diagnostics·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 23, 2022

DAP array casts a wide net to fix mutations

A new genome-editing strategy called DAP array can correct dozens of errors at the same time with high precision and efficiency, avoiding off-target edits. The technique leverages tRNA to drive multiple guide RNAs on a single array, then released individually by cells to direct genome editors for edits at multiple human genomic sites.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 19, 2022

Patient-derived micro-organospheres enable cutting-edge precision oncology

Researchers developed a droplet-based microfluidic technology to produce micro-organospheres from cancer patient biopsies within an hour. These miniature tumors retain the original microenvironment and can be used for testing many drug conditions, showing almost perfect correlation with actual clinical treatment outcomes.

SourceTerasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation·JournalCell Stem Cell·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 5, 2022

Researchers at the GIST develop deep learning model to predict adverse drug-drug interactions

Researchers developed a deep learning-based model to predict drug-drug interactions using gene expression data. The DeSIDE-DDI model can identify potentially dangerous pairs and act as a drug safety monitoring system, helping establish the correct usage of drugs in the development phase.

SourceGIST (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalJournal of Cheminformatics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 4, 2022

A new era of mitochondrial genome editing has begun

Scientists have successfully developed a gene-editing platform called TALED that can perform A-to-G base conversion in mitochondria, the final missing piece of the puzzle in gene-editing technology. This breakthrough has significant implications for treating previously incurable genetic diseases caused by mutations in mitochondrial DNA.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalCell·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 25, 2022

A population hub out of Africa explains East Asian lineages in Europe 45,000 years ago

A recent study published in Genome Biology and Evolution found that ancient human remains from Bulgaria are more closely related to contemporary East Asians than Europeans. The researchers propose a scenario where an African population hub expanded into Europe and East Asia around 45,000 years ago, with the European representatives dec...

SourceUniversità di Bologna·JournalGenome Biology and Evolution·DateApr 7, 2022