New cancer therapy and vaccine uses CRISPR to turn tumors into traitors

Scientists at Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) have found a way to fight cancer with cancer. The team genetically engineered cancer cells to release anti-cancer drugs at the site of established tumors, as well as stimulating the immune system against… Continue reading New cancer therapy and vaccine uses CRISPR to turn tumors into traitors

Resurrected 2.6-billion-year-old CRISPR enzymes can still edit cells

Researchers in Spain have resurrected ancient CRISPR proteins from millions and even billions of years ago. Not only can they still edit human cells, but they’re more versatile than modern versions, paving the way for new and improved synthetic CRISPR … Continue reading Resurrected 2.6-billion-year-old CRISPR enzymes can still edit cells

CRISPR cuts tree flowering times from a decade to mere months

Selective breeding of plants can help give them new beneficial traits, but trees have a frustratingly long reproductive cycle. Now, scientists at the University of Georgia have used CRISPR gene-editing to make poplar trees flower within months rather t… Continue reading CRISPR cuts tree flowering times from a decade to mere months

Teenager’s “incurable” leukemia cured by new base editing gene therapy

A teenager in the UK has become the first person to be treated with a revolutionary new gene editing therapy. The patient’s incurable leukemia was effectively cleared using “base-edited” immune T-cells from a donor.Continue ReadingCategory: Medical, Sc… Continue reading Teenager’s “incurable” leukemia cured by new base editing gene therapy

New CRISPR gene-editing system can “drag-and-drop” DNA in bulk

A new technique has been added to the CRISPR gene-editing toolbox. Known as PASTE, the system uses virus enzymes to “drag-and-drop” large sections of DNA into a genome, which could help treat a range of genetic diseases.Continue ReadingCategory: Biolog… Continue reading New CRISPR gene-editing system can “drag-and-drop” DNA in bulk

“Seminal” study gene edits immune cells to target cancer

In a new study described by one oncologist as “seminal” and “pioneering”, researchers in the United States have successfully used CRISPR gene-editing technology to create personalized cancer-targeting immune cells. In a Phase 1 trial the researchers te… Continue reading “Seminal” study gene edits immune cells to target cancer

Viruses used to deliver CRISPR gene-editing to bacteria

Scientists have demonstrated a new potential way to edit the genomes of bacteria in complex environments, by equipping viruses to hunt them down and insert the CRISPR gene-editing system.Continue ReadingCategory: ScienceTags: CRISPR, Genetics, Genetic … Continue reading Viruses used to deliver CRISPR gene-editing to bacteria

Move over, mammoths: De-extinction scientists to target thylacine next

Last year, genetic engineering company Colossal Biosciences unveiled its grand plans to resurrect the woolly mammoth, and now the team has revealed the second species on its de-extinction list – Australia’s lost thylacine. Partnering with a University … Continue reading Move over, mammoths: De-extinction scientists to target thylacine next

New CRISPR tool corrects mutations by copying genes between chromosomes

Researchers at the University of California San Diego (UCSD) have demonstrated an intriguing new variation on the CRISPR gene-editing system, which involves fixing a mutation on one chromosome by copying a healthy version from the other. “Nicking” the … Continue reading New CRISPR tool corrects mutations by copying genes between chromosomes

New gene editing tool reduces errors by nicking DNA not cutting

As important as the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing tool has been, it has a relatively high error rate, which can introduce potentially harmful mutations. Researchers in Germany have now developed a more refined tool that reduces errors by nicking DNA instead… Continue reading New gene editing tool reduces errors by nicking DNA not cutting