New Atlas

Medical Audio available

New CRISPR-based system inserts new DNA without cutting and pasting

Michael Irving June 12, 2019

The CRISPR gene-editing system is a powerful tool, but sometimes cutting and pasting can have unwanted side effects. Now researchers from MIT and Harvard have developed a new CRISPR-based system that can insert new DNA sequences without cutting, which should make the process safer and more accurate.

A fluorescent image of the cyanobacteria that the researchers extracted the new CRISPR system from

Science Audio available

Chinese CRISPR gene-edited babies at risk of early death

Rich Haridy June 3, 2019

A massive genome study by two scientists from UC Berkeley has found the CRISPR gene edit, administered by a Chinese scientist last year that led to the birth of two healthy babies, may be associated with a higher rate of early mortality in later life.

A large study of people with the same genetic mutation introduced by Chinese scientists He Jiankui ...

Biology Audio available

Genetically modified fungus kills malaria-spreading mosquitos in landmark West African trial

Rich Haridy May 30, 2019

A genetically modified fungus designed to safely reduce malaria-spreading mosquito populations has been successfully tested outside of laboratory conditions in a simulated village environment. The trial decimated the mosquito population in 45 days paving the way for more trials in open environments.

Etienne Bilgo, a co-author of the paper, observes one of the breeding pools in MosquitoSphere where ...

Medical

World-first human treatment of antibiotic-resistant infection with genetically modified virus

Rich Haridy May 8, 2019

A new case study outlines the first use of a genetically modified virus to treat a life-threatening antibiotic-resistant bacterial infection. The successful treatment paves the way for larger clinical trials to establish how effective this experimental process could be in wider patient populations.

Three bacteriophages, or bacteria-eating viruses, were administered to the young patient suffering from a major antibiotic-resistant ...

Medical Audio available

Anti-CRISPR molecules discovered that can block the gene editing technology

Rich Haridy May 2, 2019

New work from the Broad Institute and Brigham and Women's Hospital has presented a study that homes in on small molecules that may have the ability to safely block the CRISPR gene editing process.

Newly discovered anti-CRISPR molecules can quickly inhibit the activity of the CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing process

Biology Audio available

CRISPR breakthrough uses "hairpin lock" for more precise genetic engineering

Michael Irving April 16, 2019

The CRISPR gene-editing system is incredibly accurate, but it’s not unusual for it to be a little bit off target sometimes. Now, biomedical engineers at Duke University have created an RNA “lock” that can apparently make the system far more precise, and it works with all kinds of CRISPR variations.

The new hairpin lock – blue section at the top left – folds back on itself ...

Medical

A DNA "shredder" is the latest CRISPR gene-editing tool

Michael Irving April 9, 2019

CRISPR-Cas9 acts like a pair of molecular scissors and enables precise cut-and-paste DNA edits. But now, researchers have developed a new genetic tool that, they say, acts more like a motorized DNA “shredder.”

A new gene-editing enzyme called CRiSPR-Cas3 could function like a "DNA shredder"

Science Audio available

World's first gene-edited lizards are in the pink

Ben Coxworth April 4, 2019

Although they're commonly known as brown anoles, there are now four Anolis sagrei lizards at a University of Georgia lab that are actually pink. They're the result of the world's first successful attempt at producing a genetically modified reptile. The research could have implications for humans.

One of the four albino anoles, alongside a non-modified example

Biology Audio available

First computer-generated genome could lead to custom synthetic lifeforms

Michael Irving April 1, 2019

Scientists have created the first fully computer-generated genome of a living organism. Named Caulobacter ethensis-2.0, it was built by simplifying the natural code of Caulobacter crescentus. The team says this is a huge step towards creating completely synthetic life and medicinal DNA molecules.

Scientists have created the first computer-generated genome of a living organism

Health & Wellbeing Audio available

Therapeutic human protein grown in tobacco plants

Ben Coxworth February 26, 2019

Made by our kidneys, interleukin 37 is a protein that has powerful anti-inflammatory properties. It's produced in small quantities in the body, but if made externally in larger amounts, it could be used to treat many conditions. Scientists have now developed a way of producing it in tobacco plants.

Tony Jevnikar (left) and Shengwu Ma are affiliated with both Western University and the Lawson Health ...