Articles tagged with Genetic Engineering
Researchers at Rice University have discovered a new method for customizing engineered living materials (ELMs) by altering protein matrices. The study revealed that small genetic changes can significantly impact the behavior of these materials, making them ideal for applications like tissue engineering and drug delivery.
Researchers at UCSF used CRISPR gene editing technology to transform ordinary white fat cells into 'beige' fat cells that voraciously consume calories to make heat. Implanted near tumors, these cells outcompeted cancer cells for nutrients, beating back five types of cancer in lab experiments.
Researchers at Washington State University have created genetically engineered mice with human-like short telomeres, enabling the study of cellular aging as it occurs in humans. The new mouse model, called HuT mice, has significant implications for anti-aging research and cancer treatment.
Researchers at U of T have developed a new platform called smol-seq that uses DNA sequencing to detect metabolites. This method enables the analysis of hundreds of metabolites simultaneously, making it faster and more precise than current methods.
Researchers at McGill University discovered a novel brain mechanism that explains why bipolar patients alternate between mania and depression. A dopamine-based 'second brain clock' controls mood shifts, operating in tandem with the body's natural sleep-wake cycle.
A recent study identifies microRNA396 as a key regulator of shoot regeneration in tomatoes, revealing its role in genotype-dependent variability. Suppressing miR396 enhances shoot regeneration rates and boosts GROWTH-REGULATING FACTOR expression.
Researchers at UMass Amherst have developed a non-toxic bacterial therapy, BacID, to deliver cancer-fighting drugs directly into tumors. The therapy uses genetically engineered strains of Salmonella that can target tumors and control the release of cancer-fighting drugs inside cancer cells.
Kobe University researchers discovered three gene regulation design principles to improve yeast promoter performance, reducing leakiness and increasing productivity. The study's findings have potential applications in hospitals and can be used to produce multiple biologics with a single yeast strain.
Dr. Christopher Seet has received a $2.9 million R37 MERIT Award from the National Cancer Institute to develop innovative T cell therapies for cancer. The grant will support research into iPSC-derived T cells, which can be engineered for enhanced tumor-fighting capabilities.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have discovered that excessive Gata4 protein accumulation in vascular smooth muscle cells contributes to aortic aneurysm vulnerability in Loeys-Dietz patients. The study's findings may help refine treatments for this genetic disorder, which affects connective tissue systems.
Researchers developed a new tool called SigRM to analyze single-cell epitranscriptomics data, enabling the study of RNA modifications in individual cells. This can provide valuable insights into gene regulation and its impact on health and disease, particularly in complex conditions like cancer.
A team of scientists used CRISPR technology to investigate the role of Fel d 1, a gene that triggers cat allergies. By analyzing genetic diversity and expression levels, they found that cats genetically modified to lack CH2 were healthy, suggesting that the allergen may not be essential for feline health.
Knowing family health history is crucial for reducing heart attack and stroke risk. Experts recommend following Life's Essential 8 - five health behaviors and three health factors to lower genetic risks.
Researchers create system to manipulate cell behavior using 'crowd control' technique, enabling predictable patterns and structures. Cell density plays key role in guiding cellular development, offering potential for medical applications such as tissue engineering and organ regeneration.
Researchers achieved significant improvements in ethanol yields by genetically modifying cyanobacteria to optimize carbon flow and overexpress key enzymes. Modified strains produced ethanol at rates between 0.24 and 3.8 g/L, demonstrating robust performance improvements.
A new strategy for treating prostate cancer has been developed by blocking the GP130 signalling pathway, contrary to current medical understanding. The study found that activating GP130 in prostate cells reduces tumour growth and stimulates the immune system to fight cancer cells.
A team of scientists, led by Anne Bang, is working to establish clearer connections between genes and their effects on brain function and mental health. They will use high-throughput screening technology to study over 100 genes in brain cells.
Scientists have developed novel magnetic nanodiscs that can remotely stimulate parts of the brain, potentially treating neurological and psychiatric conditions. The devices were injected into specific brain regions in mice and triggered by a weak electromagnet, demonstrating precise control over neural activity.
Researchers are developing soybeans that can handle extreme weather conditions, allowing farmers to maintain yields under pressure. By studying plant adaptation strategies, scientists aim to create more resilient soybean varieties.
New research on genetically modified crops reveals potential environmental impacts, including increased pesticide use, deforestation, and greenhouse gas emissions. The study highlights the need for further research to support sustainable agriculture practices.
Researchers identified key control sites regulating gene expression in cells, including those controlling ancient viral sequences. Mutating these sites caused defects in cell differentiation and survival, as well as spurious activation of genes across the genome.
Scientists at Gladstone Institutes have discovered a diverse range of retrons that can edit DNA more quickly and efficiently than current methods, including CRISPR. The new retrons showed high editing rates in both bacteria and human cells, with some performing 10-fold better than the gold-standard retron.
Researchers at Boston University discovered a new method to harness self-amplifying RNA to create more effective vaccines. The modified saRNA vaccine protected mice from severe COVID-19 disease with a lower dose than current mRNA vaccines. Longer duration of protein expression and reduced inflammation were also observed.
Researchers at CABBI used genetic engineering to improve water use efficiency in climate-friendly C4 crops like sorghum and sugarcane, maximizing biomass production while minimizing water usage. The breakthrough could aid crops in mitigating drought stress and support the development of a sustainable bioeconomy.
Researchers engineered miniature linear and split-belt treadmills to study insect locomotion, gaining insights into proprioception's role in natural activities like walking. The study showed that flies can modify their steps to continue walking straight despite rotational perturbations.
A new vaccine created by Mizzou researchers protects cattle from bovine anaplasmosis, a devastating tick-borne disease causing hundreds of millions of dollars in economic losses. The vaccine has been proven to give immunized cattle protection for at least a month and is being discussed with industry partners for future distribution.
Researchers have developed two new methods to produce circular RNAs, which can silence genes and serve as templates for making therapeutic proteins. These circular RNAs display enhanced stability and biological activity in heart muscle cells and neurons.
Recent studies have demonstrated that dysregulation of m6A writers and erasers can significantly impact leukemia development and progression. The study found that targeting these modifications represents a promising therapeutic strategy for reducing proliferation and inducing apoptosis of leukemic cells.
Researchers at UMD developed a method to produce high-performance, structural wood without chemicals or energy-intensive processing. The engineered wood can resist deterioration, storing carbon for longer periods and reducing emissions.
Researchers genetically engineered Toxoplasma gondii to produce and release therapeutic proteins in the human brain, bypassing the blood-brain barrier. The method has potential implications for treating diseases caused by protein deficiencies or abnormal expression.
Researchers discovered a pheromone receptor that controls parenting behavior in African cichlid fish. The study found that males with a specific genetic mutation picked up eggs in their mouths, taking on the role of 'mouthbrooding' dads.
A new analysis found that people hospitalized for heart disease, stroke, or cardiovascular diseases are 83% more likely to be diagnosed with anxiety, depression, or other psychiatric conditions within the first year after hospitalization. Early mental health screening and intervention are crucial for patients and their loved ones.
Researchers engineered human skin bacteria to produce less lactic acid, attracting fewer mosquitoes to mice. The engineered microbes reduced mosquito attraction by up to 64.4% and also prevented bites.
Researchers have used CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing to improve groundcherry's growth habit and fruit characteristics. This breakthrough could lead to increased crop yields and reduce the need for pesticides. The study also highlights the potential of groundcherry as a model species for studying plant biology.
Researchers have designed a novel Co-STAR receptor that combines genetic components of four types of immune cells to recognize and fight cancer cells. In laboratory studies, the Co-STAR receptor induced a sustained anti-tumor response against human cancer cells, leading to long-lasting remissions in mouse models.
Researchers investigate chemical modifications to genetic regulation mechanisms, finding that Set8 controls gene activity through a mechanism other than histone modification. This study refines our understanding of genetic regulation relevant to human diseases like cancer.
Scientists have introduced a novel approach to recreate bacterial methylation patterns, enhancing DNA transformation. This enables the genetic modification of pathogenic bacteria and probiotics, leading to potential new antibiotics and cell-based therapies.
Researchers at VIB-UGent Center for Plant Systems Biology have developed a new method to improve maize transformation frequency using ternary vectors and morphogenic regulators. By combining these technologies, they achieved a 20-fold increase in transformed plants, paving the way for more effective research and innovative applications.
Researchers at the University of Sydney have developed SeekRNA, a programmable tool that can precisely target and relocate genetic sequences with high accuracy and flexibility. This breakthrough technology surpasses current limitations of CRISPR, enabling more precise editing and reducing errors.
Scientists have discovered that ADGRF5 helps maintain the integrity of the glomerular filtration barrier, which is critical for filtering waste from the blood. The study found that disrupting ADGRF5 expression led to abnormalities in the glomerular basement membrane and increased albuminuria.
Researchers used CRISPR to fine-tune sugarcane's leaf angle, capturing more sunlight and increasing biomass production. The study focused on the LIGULELESS1 gene, which plays a major role in determining leaf angle.
Researchers from the University of Illinois have used CRISPR/Cas9 to alter the upstream regulatory DNA of a food crop, increasing gene expression and improving downstream photosynthesis. This approach, which does not require adding foreign DNA, has shown promising results in increasing photosynthetic activity in rice.
This study investigates the association of mosaic chromosomal alterations (mCAs) with cirrhosis risk and finds that individuals with copy-neutral loss of heterozygosity mCAs have a significantly increased risk of cirrhosis. The risk is higher in patients with expanded cell fractions of mCAs, especially for decompensated cirrhosis.
Researchers challenge single-origin theory of root nodule symbiosis, identifying multiple origins and ideal experimental systems to better understand symbiotic relationships. The findings suggest a lesser role for shared genetic machinery in genetically engineering crop plants to work with nitrogen-fixing bacteria.
A team of researchers from Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University has engineered a short sequence of artificial DNA to target the mutant protein p53-R175H, linked to lung, colorectal, and breast cancers. The new molecule, dp53m, inhibits cancer cell growth and increases sensitivity to chemotherapy agent cisplatin.
A new resource has been created to provide a deeper understanding of the bioenergy crop sorghum and its potential for genetic modification. The study identified gene expression patterns in sorghum stem cells, which can help researchers design cell-type specific promoters for targeted gene expression.
Researchers have developed an approach to 'delete' a diseased blood system while building up a new, healthy one with donor blood stem cells. This process involves targeting specific antibodies coupled to a cytotoxic drug that recognize and destroy diseased blood cells while sparing healthy ones.
Researchers discuss the benefits of CAR-T therapy in treating B-cell lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) in children. The therapy, tisagenlecleucel, has shown promising results and is now priced at $508,250, a more manageable cost compared to other gene therapies.
A recent study reveals that a cellular process called transfer Ribonucleic acid (tRNA) modification influences the malaria parasite’s ability to develop resistance. This breakthrough discovery could help researchers develop new drugs to combat resistance and better tools for studying RNA modifications.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine used genetically engineered mice to study the mechanism of congenital stationary night blindness. The findings demonstrate that a mutation in the rhodopsin gene produces unusual background electrical activity, desensitizing rods and causing poor vision in low-light settings.
Farny will investigate the impact of methylation on gene expression of Pseudomonas putida in soil and laboratory conditions, building gene circuits to test engineered bacteria. The project aims to advance the use of bacteria for environmental cleanups and create educational resources for undergraduate students.
Researchers at the University of California San Diego developed a biodegradable form of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) filled with bacterial spores from Bacillus subtilis. The material breaks down in compost environments within five months, even without additional microbes.
Depletion of axonal mitochondria disrupts autophagy, leading to abnormal protein build-up in neurons. Restoring mitochondrial levels restores autophagy and recovers impaired neuron function.
Researchers at UNIGE and ETH Zurich have created biofortified rice lines with enhanced vitamin B1 content, targeting the nourishing tissue of the grain. The modified lines multiplied vitamin B1 levels by 3-4 without compromising agronomic yield, providing a significant advance in combating deficiency.
Researchers highlight the role of post-transcriptional RNA modifications in AML pathogenesis, identifying m6A and m7G regulators as potential therapeutic targets. Targeted therapies, including selective inhibitors and Traditional Chinese Medicine compounds, show promise in promoting cell differentiation and reversing AML phenotypes.
A study using a xenotransplantation model has revealed that human microglia respond to amyloid-β plaques with a complex immune response, influencing the disease course. The research highlights the importance of considering genetic factors in microglia-targeted therapies for Alzheimer's disease.
A new therapy combines gene-modified dendritic cells with immunotherapy to promote a stronger immune response against lung cancer. The treatment slows down tumor growth and activates T cells to attack cancer cells systemically.
Researchers unveil innovative strategies to overcome metabolic constraints in CAR-T cell therapy, aiming to boost its efficacy in treating solid tumors. Metabolic interventions targeting immunosuppressive metabolites, metabolite uptake, and mitochondrial metabolism are proposed to enhance anti-tumor activity.
Researchers have discovered a new immunotherapy approach to overcome resistant leukemia by targeting the mutated TP53 gene. Combining pharmacological therapies with genetically engineered CAR T-cells increases effectiveness against cancer cells, offering promising strategies for patients with resistant disease.
A study led by Leopold Eckhart found that the genetic programme controlling keratinized claws originated in a common ancestor of humans and frogs. The research team used the tropical clawed frog as an experimental model and discovered that important hair components, including keratins, share similarities with human hair.