Researchers at Leipzig University have developed a new method to visualize the activity of CRISPR-Cas protein complexes, allowing for precise observation of gene recognition. The study reveals that base pairing with RNA is not energetically advantageous, but becomes stable only after the entire sequence is recognized.
A new study from Aarhus University has found that applying AI predictions of protein structures enhances the CRISPR technology, making the cuts in a patient's DNA more precise. This discovery may lead to better treatments for patients with genetic disorders and potentially develop cures for various genetic diseases.
The study uses AI-assisted methods to discover novel deaminase proteins with unique functions through structural prediction and classification, expanding the utility of base editors. New DNA base editors with remarkable features were developed, enabling tailor-made applications for various breeding efforts.
A study by Osaka University researchers reveals that various stakeholders, including experts, the general public, and patients, can participate in genome editing governance. This collaboration enables more effective policy-making, with citizens engaging in new initiatives such as interactive events.
Scientists have developed a method to increase the efficiency of CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing without viral material, stimulating homology-directed repair by threefold. This breakthrough improves nonviral gene editing and may lead to more efficient disease modeling and hypothesis testing.
Researchers have developed a new technology to sequence individual mitochondria in single cells, allowing for unbiased analysis of full-length mtDNA. This has revealed complex patterns of pathogenic mtDNA mutations and the potential risks of off-target mutations in genetic editing strategies.
A recent study published in PNAS reveals that the protein TSKS plays a crucial role in eliminating sperm cytoplasm, enabling a streamlined structure necessary for successful fertilization. The findings suggest potential applications for diagnostic tests and male contraceptives.
A new study led by OHSU researchers reveals that gene editing technology in human embryos can lead to unintended changes in the genome and may not accurately reflect gene edits. The study highlights the need for caution when using genetically edited embryos to establish pregnancies.
A research group at Nagoya University has sequenced 95.6% of the Nicotiana benthamiana genome using next-generation sequencing technology. The findings provide insight into the plant's ability to perform grafting, a rare phenomenon in plants.
Researchers at NYU Langone Health and the University of Toronto have developed a new AI tool called ZFDesign, which enables customizable protein editing for treating genetic diseases. The tool promises to accelerate gene therapy development on a large scale, offering a potentially safer alternative to CRISPR.
Researchers from Heidelberg University have developed a new 'VIP admission ticket' that enables efficient delivery of enzymes to the nucleus, enhancing the efficiency of CRISPR/Cas9 and related methods. This breakthrough opens up new areas for genetic screening and potentially therapeutic applications.
A team of researchers from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory has made a breakthrough in understanding the deadly brain cancer glioblastoma. By linking the BRD8 protein to another key protein, P53, they have identified a potential target for new treatments that could extend patient survival and improve outcomes.
The Devils Hole pupfish has the lowest genetic diversity among known vertebrates, with 58% of its genomes identical. This lack of diversity may doom the species to extinction as climate change and human impacts increase.
A research team led by the IPK Leibniz Institute has identified a new resistance mechanism for winter barley against two major viruses, BaYMV and BaMMV. By targeting the PDIL5-1 gene using Cas9 gene scissors, the researchers were able to establish novel resistances in barley varieties.
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.
Researchers replicate aggressive lymphoma to identify gene responsible for drug resistance, offering new targets and causes of resistance. The CRISPR activation technology enables the replication of complex diseases on an unmatched level.
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.
Scientists from the University of Maryland developed CRISPR-Combo, a method to edit multiple genes in plants while simultaneously changing gene expression. This new tool enables genetic engineering combinations that work together to boost functionality and improve breeding of new crops.
A team of Georgia State researchers used CRISPR-Cas9 technology to eliminate the Avpr1a receptor in hamsters, leading to unexpected changes in their social behavior. The study found that knocking out the receptor increased social communication behaviors and eliminated sex differences in aggression.
Researchers discover that type 1 TPCs encode SV channels in plant vacuoles, while type 2 TPCs likely encode distinct ion channels. This study provides functional and evolutionary insights into the TPC family in plants, shedding light on their role in plant growth and defence mechanisms.
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.
The Logan Science Journalism Program has selected 12 accomplished science and health journalists to participate in its 35th annual fellowship program. The fellows will spend 10 days learning contemporary research techniques at the Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole.
Scientists at the University of Texas at Austin have redesigned a key component of the widely used CRISPR-based gene-editing tool Cas9 to be thousands of times less likely to target the wrong stretch of DNA. The new version, called SuperFi-Cas9, is as efficient as the original but reduces off-target interactions, making it potentially ...
Scientists have discovered the orf137 gene responsible for male sterility in tomato plants, enabling the development of an efficient F1 hybrid breeding system. The study also demonstrates targeted mutagenesis and homologous recombination mechanisms underlying this trait.
CROPSR, an open-source software tool, accelerates CRISPR experiment design and evaluation by addressing challenges in complex crop genomes. The genome-wide approach significantly shortens the time required to design a CRISPR experiment, reducing failed experiments.
Researchers successfully edited the genomes of black-legged ticks using CRISPR-Cas9, overcoming technical challenges and advancing tick genetic research. The study's findings have significant implications for understanding tick-pathogen-host interactions and developing new approaches to tick-borne disease control.
Researchers at CeMM Research Center discovered that the DNA mismatch repair process plays a crucial role in prime editing. By eliminating mismatch repair, they increased prime editing efficiency by 2-17-fold and improved its accuracy. This fundamental understanding brings the technology closer to clinical applications.
A team of researchers at Harvard's Wyss Institute and ETH Zurich have developed a computational approach to identify genomic safe harbors (GSHs) with high potential for safe insertion of therapeutic genes. The study validated two GSH sites in adoptive T cell therapies and in vivo gene therapies for skin diseases.
Gladstone Institutes researchers have pioneered a new method to edit genes in human cells using retrons, which can produce abundant copies of template DNA from inside cells. The optimized system has shown improved efficiency and precision compared to current approaches.
Researchers have successfully genome-edited vascular endothelial cells using a novel nanoparticle delivery system, which could treat diseases such as acute respiratory distress syndrome and coronary artery disease. The technology has the potential to correct gene mutations, promote vascular repair, and inhibit vascular injury.
Scientists have developed a new method using CRISPR-Cas9 to target specific fat cells, reducing the time and cost of genetic discovery in obesity research. The technique allows researchers to study genes in brown adipose tissue, which plays a crucial role in regulating body temperature.
Researchers have developed Find Cut-and-Transfer (FiCAT) technology, a tool capable of accurately writing small and large genes. FiCAT allows precise insertion of large fragments into the genome, enabling development of therapeutic solutions for diseases like Duchenne muscular dystrophy and hereditary blindness.
Researchers at UC Berkeley have developed a new CRISPR editing technology that enables simultaneous editing of genes in multiple cell types and species within a microbial community. This approach, called community editing, has the potential to track edited microbes and understand their functions within complex ecosystems.
Researchers have expanded the number of naturally occurring CRISPR-Cas systems, giving a wealth of potential new tools for large-scale gene editing. The discovery could lead to treating complex diseases associated with multiple genes.
Researchers at Okayama University used CRISPR/Cas9 technology to genetically edit barley, creating mutants that resist pre-harvest sprouting and can be promoted with cold temperatures or hydrogen peroxide treatment. This breakthrough has significant implications for high-quality barley production and could lead to improved beer quality.
Researchers at McGill University developed a new technique to manipulate DNA methylation levels at specific genes using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. This approach enables targeted demethylation of genes associated with diseases, such as insulin gene dysregulation in diabetes.
Researchers at Princeton University developed a novel method called Repair-seq to understand genome editing tools, revealing complex mechanisms of DNA repair. This work improves the CRISPR gene-editing method by identifying new pathways and optimizing systems.
The Science Communication Lab has received a 3-year NSF grant to create new films and virtual workshops about novel breakthroughs and techniques in science. The lab aims to expand its work across filmmaking and education to reach broad and diverse audiences, emphasizing diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Researchers have established an organoid biobank to search for genes essential for SARS-CoV-2 replication and spread. The study identified TMPRSS2 as a potential therapeutic target for the coronavirus, with specific inhibitors recently developed.
The study contributes to deciphering genetic background of unique marsupial characteristics by creating genetically modified opossums. The researchers successfully edited a gene responsible for body pigments, producing albino offspring with inherited genes.
A new genetic engineering platform has been established in methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris, enhancing homologous recombination rates and genome editing efficiency. This breakthrough can enable the stable loading of over 100 exogenous genes and precise regulating of gene expression.
Ben Ouagrham-Gormley is researching ethical issues related to human germline genome editing, a key aspect of China's global scientific strategy. The researcher will analyze data and conduct interviews with Chinese and U.S. scientists and government officials.
A new CRISPR/Cas9 variant, miCas9, has been developed to improve the efficiency of gene editing while reducing unintended insertions or deletions. This advancement holds promise for advancing gene editing in genetic research and potentially treating diseases.
The National Human Genome Research Institute has published its 2020 Strategic Vision, which describes cutting-edge research priorities and opportunities in human genomics. The vision identifies four focus areas: guiding principles, sustaining and improving genomic research, breaking down barriers, and compelling biomedicine projects.
A joint EU conference explores GMOs, emphasizing EU regulation prospects and optimal use of scientific findings for consumer protection. The event features a series of free online webinars with prior registration.
A global citizens' assembly consisting of at least 100 lay citizens from around the world would explore and deliberate on genome editing technologies and regulatory principles. This assembly aims to address the lack of consistent governance and bridge gaps between community values, improving overall governance of genome editing technology
Researchers propose national and global citizens' assemblies to examine the ethical and moral issues surrounding genome editing, involving laypeople from diverse backgrounds. The goal is to develop moral and political regulation and ensure fair access to the technology.
Researchers developed polymeric carriers that can load multiple types of genetic material, improving efficiency and reducing toxicity compared to existing analogues. The technology has the potential to revolutionize gene therapy by delivering two RNA and DNA molecules through a single carrier.
Researchers have identified a potential new treatment for dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) using an acne drug. A single mutation in the RBM20 gene was found to cause the disease, and increasing expression of this protein may overcome the insufficient expression seen in patients with DCM.
Scientists from the University of Tsukuba found that retrotransposons may change how genes are expressed in melons. In a study published in Communications Biology, researchers discovered that retrotransposons had a role in altering gene expression when melon genomes were diversifying and affecting fruit ripening.
The EU is taking a cautious approach to gene drive organisms, considering their potential risks and benefits. The technology uses CRISPR/Cas-9 genome editing to introduce permanent changes in ecosystems, raising concerns about long-term ecological impact.
A new method has been developed to analyze pathogenic DNA repeats in the human genome, revealing their role in genetic diseases such as Fragile X syndrome. The technique combines nanopore sequencing, stem cell culture, and CRISPR-Cas technologies to provide detailed insights into these previously inaccessible regions.
The Carnegie Mellon and Yale research team will scale up production of PNAs, improve DNA binding properties, and develop new nanoparticle formulations for enhanced in vivo editing. The goal is to move the technique closer to clinical therapeutic applications.
Researchers at the University of California, Davis have successfully genome-edited a dairy bull to prevent it from growing horns, and their findings show that none of its offspring developed horns. The study also highlights the need for screening and selection to address plasmid integration when using genome-editing in livestock.
Researchers at UW-Madison have developed tiny customizable nanocapsules to deliver gene-editing payloads, reducing the risk of unintended genetic edits. The nanocapsules are expected to improve the efficiency and safety of gene therapies, potentially treating inherited diseases and stubborn viral infections.
A multistakeholder study proposes six policy options for governing heritable genome editing, including proactive regulation and broad public engagement. Meanwhile, gynecological surgery reform is urged due to declining OB-GYN skills and lack of transparency, putting patient safety at risk.
Genome editing enables crop development with resistance to pests, diseases, drought, and heat, reducing losses and chemical pesticide sprays. However, regulatory hurdles in Europe may hinder the adoption of these technologies, posing a risk to developing countries.
Researchers at UC Davis have made a breakthrough in plant biology by discovering a way to produce crops as clones from seed. This process, known as apomixis, allows for the reproduction of high-yielding and disease-resistant crops without the need for expensive hybrid seeds. The discovery has significant implications for global food se...
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine have successfully used genome editing to correct a genetic mutation causing a rare and deadly heart condition. The study uses CRISPR/Cas9 technology to selectively disrupt the disease-causing gene, reducing arrhythmia symptoms in mice. This breakthrough could lead to a permanent treatment for p...
The NIH has awarded a $3.6 million grant to study the safety of CRISPR-like therapies in human tissues. A team led by Todd McDevitt will assess the safety and toxicity issues of genome editing, developing platforms to detect adverse effects on physiological function.