Posted on 10/29/2019 12:00:37 PM PDT by cann
The CRISPR genome-editing technique revolutionising biology just got a major upgrade. A new variant, called prime editing, should be even better at correcting disease-causing mutations.
This approach, devised by Andrew Anzalone at the Broad Institute in Massachusetts makes it possible to add or delete short DNA sequences, or change one DNA letter to another, with fewer unwanted side effects.
The technique gets closer to the ideal form of genome editing, which would work like the “find and replace” command in a writing app. Use of CRISPR has grown rapidly since it was devised in 2012 because it made the “find” part far cheaper and easier.
CRISPR exploits a protein called Cas9, which hooks up with a piece of guide RNA and seeks out matching DNA sequences in a cell’s genome. Because it is easy to make custom RNAs, Cas9 can be programmed to find any desired sequence.
The “replace” part is more problematic. Cas9 is usually used only to introduce mutations that can disable a gene, by cutting the cell’s DNA. If an extra piece of DNA is added at the same time, it sometimes gets spliced into the cut site, but this typically works in less than one in 10 cells.
(Excerpt) Read more at newscientist.com ...
What could possibly go wrong, Ian?
Seems like a good one for the weekly digest ping.
Here are the other GGG topics introduced since the previous Digest ping:
It is also scary and dangerous.
"Can you tell me whose are the *right* hands?"[Dr McCoy]
Such an important piece of new information and only six comments, I am ashamed for FReeperdom.
I remember how disappointed I was to find out that CRISPR wasn't a new Nabisco product.
Civilizations that embrace genetic enhancement will defeat those that don’t.
Civilizations that embrace genetic enhancement will defeat those that don’t.
In The Year 2525 (Exordium And Terminus)”
Zager & Evans
In the year 2525
If man is still alive
If woman can survive
They may find
In the year 3535
Ain’t gonna need to tell the truth, tell no lies
Everything you think, do and say
Is in the pill you took today
In the year 4545
Ain’t gonna need your teeth, won’t need your eyes
You won’t find a thing to chew
Nobody’s gonna look at you
In the year 5555
Your arms are hanging limp at your sides
Your legs got nothing to do
Some machine is doing that for you
In the year 6565
Ain’t gonna need no husband, won’t need no wife
You’ll pick your son, pick your daughter too
From the bottom of a long glass tube, whoa
In the year 7510
If God’s a-comin’ he ought to make it by then
Maybe he’ll look around himself and say
Guess it’s time for the Judgement day
In the year 8510
God is gonna shake his mighty head then
He’ll either say I’m pleased where man has been
Or tear it down and start again, woah woah
In the year 9595
I’m kinda wondering if man is gonna be alive
He’s taken everything this old earth can give
And he ain’t put back nothing, woah woah
Now it’s been 10,000 years
Man has cried a billion tears
For what he never knew
Now man’s reign is through
But through eternal night
The twinkling of starlight
So very far away
Maybe it’s only yesterday
In the year 2525
If man is still alive
If woman can survive
They may thrive
In the year 3535
Ain’t gonna need to tell the truth, tell no lies
I agree.
A question that will be asked in the future, "Is you IQ natural or due to enhancement?"
Have you seen this website: leapsmag.com?
I never heard of CRISPR til read about it there.
Not yet, but I guess I should look.
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