breakthroughs bring geneediting
Last Updated : GMT 09:03:51
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today
Last Updated : GMT 09:03:51
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today

therapies into view

Breakthroughs bring gene-editing

Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today

Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Breakthroughs bring gene-editing

Breakthroughs bring gene-editing
Paris - Al Maghrib Today

Two teams of scientists on Wednesday unveiled a new generation of programmable molecular machines that can seamlessly repair tiny but deadly errors in the genetic coding of living organisms.

Taken together, the technologies expand the reach and precision of gene-editing, and open a path to fixing mutations that cause genetic blindness, sickle-cell anaemia, cystic fibrosis, and thousands of other debilitating diseases.

One approach, called base editing, performs "chemical surgery" directly on DNA, permanently altering faulty segments without cutting into the genome's ladder-like structure. 

The second technique corrects errors in another type of genetic material called RNA, where anomalies can also ruin health or lead to death.

The tools -- along with experiments on diseased human cells to show that they work -- were described in studies simultaneously published in the journals Nature and Science.

"A tremendous amount of work is still needed before these molecular machines can be used to treat human disease in patients," said Harvard University's David Liu, who led the base editing teams. 

"But having a machine is an important starting point," he said ahead of publication.  

DNA provides individual cells with detailed instructions on how to perform their specialised task.

The four chemical building blocks of DNA, called bases, are represented by the letters A, T, G and C, and always strung together in pairs -- "A" with "T", and "G" with "C".

- Tricking the cell -

"Each of us carries two sets of three billion base pairs of DNA in almost all our cells, one from Mom and one from Dad," said Liu. 

All it takes is one pair in the wrong place -- a genetic mutation -- for things to go horribly wrong.

Another gene-editing tool already in wide use called CRISPR-cas9 cuts the DNA strand, typically to insert or delete a DNA base pair.

But Liu's editing technique makes changes without breaking the DNA's spiralling chain.

"CRISPR-cas9 is like molecular scissors, while base editors are like pencils," Liu explained, insisting that each was suited to different uses. 

In a breakthrough last year, Liu's team showed how to swap a C-G for a T-A base pair. 

Laboratories around the world successfully used the technique to fix so-called "point mutations" in organisms ranging from bacteria and corn to mice and human embryos.

But only about 15 percent of point mutations in humans known to be linked with disease can be fixed this way.
Until now.

The new tool -- dubbed "ABE" for Adenine Base Editor -- cleverly coaxes an A-T base pair into a G-C base pair, repairing "a class of mutation that accounts for about half of the 32,000 known pathogenic point mutations in humans", Liu said.

- 'Incredibly powerful' -

Because no enzyme exists in Nature that will turn an "A" base into a "C" -- the key step in the "repeal and replace" manoeuver -- the scientists had to create one, a feat they had never attempted.

Not only did the procedure have a much higher success rate than other gene-editing techniques, there were virtually no side-effects, such as unwanted DNA duplications or deletions.       

To prove its therapeutic potential, the scientists in the lab isolated a cell from a patient suffering from hereditary haemochromatosis (HHC), a crippling disease caused by excessive iron buildup and treated by bleeding patients.

ABE permanently corrected the mutation, showing -- in principle -- how it might one day work. 

Scientists not involved in the research hailed its potential.

"The ability to now directly alter all four base-pairs with such specificity adds more ammunition to the genome editing artillery," said Helen O'Neill, programme director for Reproductive Science and Women's Health at University College London. 

"It will be incredibly powerful in the research of diseases and future restoration of disease-causing mutations."

In the Science study, a team led by Feng Zhang at MIT -- who pioneered the use of CRISPR-cas9 -- described a new system for pinpoint changes in RNA.

Unlike base editing, the changes are not permanent, which in some cases may be an advantage.

Source: AFP

almaghribtoday
almaghribtoday

GMT 10:09 2018 Friday ,19 January

Police raid France's Lactalis

GMT 14:20 2018 Thursday ,18 January

Suppressing a sneeze can be dangerous

GMT 12:23 2018 Wednesday ,17 January

Populists target vaccine decree

GMT 12:39 2018 Tuesday ,16 January

Lactalis feels heat as families rebuff

GMT 12:01 2018 Monday ,15 January

Embattled dairy chief breaks silence

GMT 11:26 2018 Sunday ,14 January

One separated Gaza twin dies

GMT 11:31 2018 Saturday ,13 January

France laments 'dysfunction'

GMT 09:22 2018 Friday ,12 January

Cancer shatters gay marriage dreams
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

breakthroughs bring geneediting breakthroughs bring geneediting

 



Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

breakthroughs bring geneediting breakthroughs bring geneediting

 



Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Skincare PR Performance Full Year 2017

GMT 09:22 2018 Monday ,22 January

Skincare PR Performance Full Year 2017
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today New hunt for flight MH370 gets under way

GMT 11:03 2018 Wednesday ,24 January

New hunt for flight MH370 gets under way
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Modern colorful bedroom renovation

GMT 10:57 2017 Thursday ,21 December

Modern colorful bedroom renovation
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Puigdemont candidate for Catalan president

GMT 13:56 2018 Tuesday ,23 January

Puigdemont candidate for Catalan president
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Turkey detains dozens more

GMT 10:47 2018 Wednesday ,24 January

Turkey detains dozens more
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today The Rake announces editorial updates

GMT 10:46 2018 Tuesday ,16 January

The Rake announces editorial updates
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Europe brings on charm and blue skies

GMT 11:51 2018 Tuesday ,23 January

Europe brings on charm and blue skies
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today For the Variety of Interior Design Styles

GMT 10:46 2017 Tuesday ,19 December

For the Variety of Interior Design Styles
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today US Christian tourists see deep meaning

GMT 13:44 2018 Monday ,22 January

US Christian tourists see deep meaning
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Amazon to open first cashierless shop

GMT 10:03 2018 Tuesday ,23 January

Amazon to open first cashierless shop

GMT 12:34 2011 Tuesday ,20 December

Scotland\'s magical retreat

GMT 07:55 2017 Thursday ,09 November

Emboldened Xi, weakened Trump face tough talks

GMT 16:54 2017 Tuesday ,03 October

ECB hints at drawn-out end to bond-buying

GMT 12:56 2015 Monday ,06 April

Peter and the Wolf, concert for children

GMT 16:36 2014 Thursday ,05 June

Shatner to lead 2014 Stampede Calgary

GMT 15:06 2012 Monday ,07 May

Sahra Hassan wins award

GMT 01:35 2012 Sunday ,15 January

Gaza newspaper ban in effect for now

GMT 09:14 2012 Sunday ,19 August

Colour Extend Radiant

GMT 16:27 2015 Saturday ,23 May

Kia launches upgraded Picanto model

GMT 15:30 2011 Thursday ,12 May

Australia and India launch free trade talks

GMT 07:29 2014 Sunday ,24 August

You've overslept here's what you need to do

GMT 10:04 2011 Sunday ,11 September

Vauxhall/Opel to unveil 2-seat electric car at IAA

GMT 13:26 2011 Wednesday ,24 August

New Toyota Camry aimed at younger market

GMT 21:29 2016 Wednesday ,02 March

Lebanese scholars call on govt to apologize to KSA

GMT 23:49 2015 Tuesday ,15 September

Spanish bullfighter seriously hurt by goring in belly

GMT 10:18 2017 Saturday ,23 December

Baidu accuses former exec of stealing

GMT 04:52 2017 Thursday ,11 May

Gold edges off 8-week low

GMT 18:22 2011 Wednesday ,13 April

Number of Chinese millionaires nears 1M

GMT 15:28 2017 Wednesday ,20 December

Alaskan snow more than doubles due

GMT 11:46 2011 Tuesday ,14 June

£2m eco-friendly mosque planned for Germany

GMT 09:22 2017 Thursday ,05 October

UN to blacklist Saudi-led coalition

GMT 14:14 2017 Saturday ,21 January

Plans return to save sinking nation

GMT 13:59 2015 Tuesday ,28 April

New Mustang the fastest Ford ever
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today
 
 Almaghrib Today Facebook,almaghrib today facebook  Almaghrib Today Twitter,almaghrib today twitter Almaghrib Today Rss,almaghrib today rss  Almaghrib Today Youtube,almaghrib today youtube  Almaghrib Today Youtube,almaghrib today youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

.almaghribtoday .almaghribtoday .almaghribtoday .almaghribtoday
almaghribtoday almaghribtoday almaghribtoday
almaghribtoday
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
almaghribtoday, Almaghribtoday, Almaghribtoday