CRISPR-edited hamsters exhibit unexpected social behavior changes

Researchers experimenting with genetically engineered hamsters have found that the biology behind social behavior may be more complex than we thought. The team used CRISPR to block a certain neurochemical signaling pathway, and found that the animals’ … Continue reading CRISPR-edited hamsters exhibit unexpected social behavior changes

“Factory reset” for the brain rewrites risk of anxiety and alcohol abuse

An intriguing new study has zeroed in on a brain region that is central to the development of both alcohol abuse and anxiety in adults, and demonstrated how gene editing could be used to wipe clean a person’s predisposition to both disorders. Likened t… Continue reading “Factory reset” for the brain rewrites risk of anxiety and alcohol abuse

InBio makes strong progress toward CRISPR-edited hypoallergenic cats

People like cats. Up to 15 percent of the population are allergic to them, however, largely thank to a particular allergen called Fel d 1, which is produced by your kitty’s salivary, sebaceous, perianal and lachrymal glands. Natural Fel d 1 production … Continue reading InBio makes strong progress toward CRISPR-edited hypoallergenic cats

Protein tweak makes CRISPR gene editing 4,000 times less error-prone

The CRISPR gene-editing system is a powerful tool that could revolutionize medicine and other sciences, but unfortunately it has a tendency to make edits to the wrong sections of DNA. Now, researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have identifie… Continue reading Protein tweak makes CRISPR gene editing 4,000 times less error-prone

First ever gene-edited ticks offer new weapons against Lyme disease

From diabetes to rare blood disease, CRISPR gene-editing technology is changing the way we tackle many threats to public health, and there are few bigger than those posed by vector-borne diseases carried by tiny critters. We’ve seen much exciting progr… Continue reading First ever gene-edited ticks offer new weapons against Lyme disease

World-first pig-to-human heart transplant performed in US

In a historic procedure surgeons in the US have, for the first time, transplanted a genetically modified pig heart into a living human. The patient is currently still alive, has not rejected the pig organ and is being carefully monitored at the Univers… Continue reading World-first pig-to-human heart transplant performed in US

CRISPR gene therapy, ultrasound and drugs team up against liver cancer

Researchers in China have developed a new three-pronged method to fight liver cancer that shows promise in tests in mice. The technique combines drugs and CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing into lipid nanoparticles, then activates them with ultrasound.Continue R… Continue reading CRISPR gene therapy, ultrasound and drugs team up against liver cancer

Groundbreaking use of CRISPR selects sex of mice with 100% efficiency

Researchers at Francis Crick Institute and the University of Kent have used the CRISPR gene-editing system to produce litters of mice that are 100 percent either male or female. The technique could help prevent the unnecessary culling of animals of unw… Continue reading Groundbreaking use of CRISPR selects sex of mice with 100% efficiency

Gut microbiome genetically edited in live mice for the first time

Scientists at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) have successfully edited the genome of bacteria in the gut microbiome of living mice, for the first time. Bacteria-hunting viruses are loaded with the CRISPR gene-editing system, in a brea… Continue reading Gut microbiome genetically edited in live mice for the first time

Gene-edited barley to bolster beer production in face of climate change

Climate change is expected to have a big impact on crop yields and food security over the coming decades, as farmers contend with rising temperatures and increasingly abnormal conditions. Scientists working on solutions to this problem continue to demo… Continue reading Gene-edited barley to bolster beer production in face of climate change