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New test could dramatically speed diagnosis of hard-to-detect lung infections

Researchers at Tulane University have developed a diagnostic platform that can identify the precise species of bacteria causing NTM lung disease infections within four hours. The platform, called CANDI, uses mucus from the lungs and other respiratory fluids to test for up to 15 clinically relevant species and subspecies of NTM bacteria.

SourceTulane University·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 16, 2026

Genetic base editing treats Huntington’s disease in mice

Researchers at the University of Illinois developed a gene editing tool to treat Huntington's disease by altering a specific point in the huntingtin gene. The treatment reduced toxic protein fragments, symptoms, and brain degeneration in mice, providing a new approach for treating genetic diseases.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 29, 2026

World first: First phase 3 trial of in vivo CRISPR therapy successfully completed CRISPR treatment comes one step closer to reality

A large-scale Phase 3 trial of CRISPR therapy has shown an 87% reduction in attacks for patients with hereditary angioedema. The treatment also improved quality-of-life scores and reduced the need for on-demand medication, paving the way for future genetic therapies.

SourceAmsterdam University Medical Center·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 13, 2026

New therapy may reverse autism-related brain deficits

Researchers identified a promising new strategy for reversing autism-related brain deficits by targeting a specific glycine transporter. The therapy restored NMDA receptor function in mouse models and human brain organoids, improving behavioral abnormalities such as social interaction and repetitive behaviors.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 9, 2026

Molecular basis of multicentric carpotarsal osteolysis (MCTO) nephropathy: Pathogenic MAFB accumulation and PI3K/AKT signaling

Researchers discovered a molecular link between multicentric carpotarsal osteolysis (MCTO) and kidney disease, highlighting pathogenic MAFB accumulation and PI3K/AKT signaling. Treatment with imatinib suppressed AKT phosphorylation and attenuated glomerular injury in mice.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateMay 11, 2026

SNU professor Sangwoo Seo’s research team develops next-generation CRISPR biocontainment technology for controlling microbial survival without DNA cleavage

Researchers develop irreversible CRISPR base editing system to permanently block microbial survival, reducing environmental risk and genetic instability. The technology has broad applications in industrial biotechnology and biopharmaceutical fields.

SourceSeoul National University College of Engineering·JournalNucleic Acids Research·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 8, 2026

RNA-guided CRISPR system activates gene expression

Researchers have discovered an RNA-guided CRISPR system that can activate genes without cutting DNA, opening up new possibilities for gene regulation and therapeutic strategies. The system uses a strand of RNA as a guide to recruit the cell's transcription machinery, allowing for precise control over gene expression.

SourcePurdue University·JournalNature·DateMar 25, 2026

Stronger scents and healthier crops: unlocking plants’ hidden potential through precision gene editing

Researchers used a virus-based CRISPR system to edit the gatekeeper enzyme HMGR in petunias and lettuce, unlocking natural metabolic control for enhanced aromatic compounds and health-promoting antioxidants. The result was more vigorous growth, stronger floral fragrance, and increased nutritional value.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 19, 2026

Tooling up to diagnose ocean health

A field-deployable CRISPR-based biosensing platform has been developed for rapid, on-site monitoring of marine species and ecosystems, offering a sustainable solution for tracking ocean health. The technology has the potential to detect critical species, predict outbreaks, and support early warning systems for ecosystem disruptions.

SourceWyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard·JournalNature Sustainability·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 5, 2026

Scientists use AI to develop a precise, safe and fast way to keep CRISPR technology in-check

Researchers at Monash University have developed an AI-powered approach to create highly accurate and specific anti-CRISPR molecules, enabling faster development of gene editing tools for various applications. This breakthrough addresses the inconsistent performance and safety risks associated with CRISPR technology.

SourceMonash University·JournalNature Chemical Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 26, 2026

A CRISPR fingerprint of pathogenic C. auris fungi

A new diagnostic platform enables rapid and accurate detection of drug-resistant C. auris pathogens using CRISPR technology, allowing for more effective treatment and prevention of hospital outbreaks. The dSHERLOCK test can detect the presence of mutations causing antimicrobial resistance in just 40 minutes.

SourceWyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 14, 2026

A CRISPR screen reveals many previously unrecognized genes required for brain development and a new neurodevelopmental disorder

A CRISPR screen identified 331 essential genes for brain cell generation, including PEDS1 linked to a severe developmental disorder. The study provides a new approach to identifying genes involved in neurodevelopmental disorders like autism and offers insights into gene inheritance patterns.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalNature Neuroscience·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJan 5, 2026

Clues to Alzheimer’s disease may be hiding in our ‘junk’ DNA

Researchers have identified DNA switches that control how brain cells called astrocytes work, which are known to play a role in Alzheimer's disease. The study used CRISPRi technology and single-cell RNA sequencing to test nearly 1000 potential switches, finding that about 150 of them controlled genes implicated in Alzheimer's disease.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalNature Neuroscience·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 18, 2025

The genome editing playbook is different in neurons

Researchers found that CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing persists longer and produces more predictable results in non-dividing neurons. They also discovered new DNA repair genes that can be used to control gene editing outcomes, which could lead to safer and more effective therapies for genetic diseases.

SourceGladstone Institutes·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 17, 2025

Is shaping brain activity a mechanical process? An international research team provides new insights

A recent study published in Nature Communications reveals that the mechanical properties of the developing brain play a significant role in synapse formation and electrical signal emergence. The researchers found that softer regions exhibit higher synapse densities, while stiffer regions show lower densities.

SourceMax Planck Institute for the Science of Light·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateNov 14, 2025

New gene-editing tech holds promise for treating complex genetic diseases

Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have developed a novel gene-editing method that can correct multiple disease-causing mutations simultaneously. This approach uses bacterial retrons to protect the microbes from viral infection and has shown promising results in correcting scoliosis-causing mutations in zebrafish embryos.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalNature Biotechnology·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 23, 2025

Researchers revolutionize RNA detection

Researchers developed a new diagnostic test, CAARRD, to detect ribonucleic acid (RNA) at room temperature, increasing sensitivity and reducing complexity. The test uses special 'anti-tag' CRISPR sequences to block the activity of the Cas13a enzyme, allowing for faster and more affordable detection of viral RNAs such as HIV.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 16, 2025