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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

A tiny gene edit makes rice safer without reducing harvests

Researchers identified a precise gene edit that lowers cadmium in rice grains while maintaining yield and essential mineral nutrients. The OsNramp5 I441T mutation selectively limits cadmium translocation, reducing grain cadmium by 48% without compromising zinc or manganese uptake.

SourceOkayama University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 16, 2026

European survey reveals broad support for fertility care, embryo research and genome editing, alongside opportunities for greater public engagement

A new Europe-wide survey found broad public support for fertility treatment and reproductive research in the UK, Netherlands, Spain, and Italy. The study suggests that public understanding and opinion on these topics continue to develop, with areas where public views are not yet settled identified.

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

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

A universal toolkit for editing bacterial DNA

Researchers have developed a universal toolkit for editing bacterial DNA in 15 diverse species, including human pathogens and fast-growing biotechnology organisms. The technology uses retrons, an immune system that produces DNA, to efficiently modify genes, with varying success rates across different species.

SourceGladstone Institutes·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateApr 23, 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

Next generation genetics technology developed to counter the rise of antibiotic resistance

Researchers developed a novel CRISPR-based technology called pPro-MobV that can remove antibiotic-resistant elements from bacterial populations. The new tool uses gene-drive thinking and has the potential to combat antibiotic resistance in healthcare settings, environmental remediation, and microbiome engineering.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·Journalnpj Antimicrobials and Resistance·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 6, 2026

USU chemists' CRISPR discovery could lead to single diagnostic test for COVID, flu, RSV

Researchers at Utah State University have discovered a new CRISPR system that can precisely target transfer RNA in invading pathogens, which could lead to the development of a single diagnostic test for COVID, influenza, and RSV. This discovery enables the detection and targeting of specific pathogens without damaging host cells.

SourceUtah State University·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 7, 2026

Mount Sinai study finds childhood leukemia aggressiveness depends on timing of genetic mutation

A Mount Sinai study found that the timing of a genetic mutation in children with leukemia can significantly impact its aggressiveness. The researchers discovered that leukemia caused by mutations occurring before birth is often more aggressive and harder to treat than those occurring later in life.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalCancer Discovery·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 8, 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

In chromosome of key biotech bacterium, different setups bring different strengths

Researchers found that Agrobacterium's virulence is more effective in its natural two-chromosome state, but it grows faster and handles stress better when fused into a single chromosome. This study opens the door for optimizing its use as a crop improvement tool or devising new ways to protect crops vulnerable to crown galls.

SourceIowa State University·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 15, 2025

Small nuclear RNA base editing a safer alternative to CRISPR, UC San Diego researchers find

Researchers at UC San Diego have created a new genetic editing approach that uses small nuclear RNA base editing, which can modify the genetic code with greater precision and safety than CRISPR. This method has the potential to treat various diseases, including neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, and immune disorders.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateSep 18, 2025

In search of the perfect raspberry

Researchers at Cranfield University have developed a DNA-free gene editing technique for raspberries, which could lead to the creation of more sustainable and resilient varieties. The new method uses CRISPR-Cas9 technology to edit the genome of raspberry protoplasts, resulting in faster breeding times and reduced food waste.

SourceCranfield University·JournalFrontiers in Genome Editing·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 28, 2025

Next-generation ‘molecular scissors’ may offer hope for chronic hepatitis B sufferers

Researchers have developed 'molecular scissors' that can precisely and permanently disable the hepatitis B virus's hidden genetic material. The treatment has shown promising results in laboratory tests and HBV-infected mice, with a 99% reduction in circulating viral DNA. This innovation represents a significant step towards a functiona...

AI meets CRISPR for precise gene editing

A research team developed a new method to precisely edit DNA by combining genetic engineering with artificial intelligence. The technique enables accurate modeling of human diseases and lays the groundwork for next-generation gene therapies.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalNature Biotechnology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 12, 2025