Nature Teaches Us How to Edit DNA
By studying how the cell repairs DNA damage, researchers have developed a new technology to edit large DNA fragments in bacteria cells. Continue reading Nature Teaches Us How to Edit DNA
Tag: Gene editing
Gene Editing to Treat Disease: A success story in sickle cell disease
by Sophia Renauldfigures by Salvador Balkus Our understanding of the genetic material, or DNA, that makes up organisms has exploded over the last several decades. We have discovered that DNA is made up of multiple genes, and that different genes have different functions. We have also found that there is inherent variability in genes, meaning that the DNA of one organism is not identical to … Continue reading Gene Editing to Treat Disease: A success story in sickle cell disease
Know your gene editing technology: CRISPR-CAS9
Letting the Mosquitoes Stop the Spread of Malaria
The fight against malaria has been has been plateauing in the last five years. New tools are needed to eradicate malaria, such as a technology called gene drive. Continue reading Letting the Mosquitoes Stop the Spread of Malaria
Gene Editing Discovery Could End Childhood Premature Aging Syndrome
Base repair editing may be the cure for a genetic mutation leading to childhood aging syndrome. Continue reading Gene Editing Discovery Could End Childhood Premature Aging Syndrome
New gene editing tool can edit genes within seconds
Researchers from John Hopkins University recently developed a newly improved gene editing tool that is extremely fast — it allows genes to be edited within just a few seconds! Continue reading New gene editing tool can edit genes within seconds
Albino Lizards are the First Ever Genome Edited Reptiles
CRISPR genome editing has been used to study the biology of a number of species, but its use in reptiles has been difficult to achieve. Scientists have now figured this out, and albino lizards are the product! Read Ben Andreone’s article to learn more! Continue reading Albino Lizards are the First Ever Genome Edited Reptiles
Arrival of Gene-Edited Babies: What lies ahead?
by Valentina Lagomarsino figures by Sean Wilson Nearly four months ago, Chinese researcher He Jiankui announced that he had edited the genes of twin babies with CRISPR. CRISPR, also known as CRISPR/Cas9, can be thought of as “genetic scissors” that can be programmed to edit DNA in any cell. Last year, scientists used CRISPR to cure dogs of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. This was a huge step forward for … Continue reading Arrival of Gene-Edited Babies: What lies ahead?
Genetic editing of human embryos in the United States ignites debate
In December 2018, a Chinese researcher, He Jiankui, shocked the world when he revealed the birth of the world’s first genetically edited babies. While it is clear that Jiankui egregiously violated university regulations and ethical standards, his announcement has since ignited a heated international dialogue about the permissibility of human embryonic gene editing. Currently, there are scientists in the United States working in university laboratories, … Continue reading Genetic editing of human embryos in the United States ignites debate
Edit Thyself: Biohacking in the age of CRISPR
by Patrick Griffin figures by Olivia Foster Wincing slightly, Josiah Zayner depressed the plunger of the syringe in his right hand. “This will modify my genes to give me bigger muscles,” he told the crowd—attendees of a biotechnology conference in San Francisco last October. They nervously laughed and then applauded, having witnessed the first instance of someone trying to edit their own genome using a … Continue reading Edit Thyself: Biohacking in the age of CRISPR