Science, Space and Technology News 2024
A new breakthrough strategy strengthens CRISPR editing, minimizing large deletions and enhancing safety and accuracy in genetic modifications. Credit: 2024 KAUST
This approach tackles a critical issue with CRISPR technology: the act of slicing the genome at specific points and then rejoining it, which inherently risks damaging theHoping to mitigate this issue, a team led by Mo Li, a stem cell biologist at KAUST, investigated DNA repair pathways that lead to large genomic deletions following CRISPR editing in human stem cells.
“This easy-to-use approach could reduce the chances of these harmful large DNA deletions from happening,” says Baolei Yuan, a former Ph.D. student in Li’s lab and one of the architects of the study, along with Chongwei Bi and Yeteng Tian from Li’s lab.Moreover, these same interventions were found to enhance the efficiency of homology-directed repair, a mechanism known for its ability to enable accurate genome editing without adding unintended mutations.
With a provisional patent application filed for this innovative strategy, the team continues to explore the mechanisms behind a wider array of undesirable mutations and to hone its techniques for making CRISPR safer and more efficient.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Catch-and-Treat Strategy Improves Health in Previously Undiagnosed Asthma and COPDPersons with asthma or COPD found through community outreach had improvements in lung function and quality of life over 1 year in a randomized trial.
Read more »
Nicole Richie Says New Show With Paris Hilton 'Something New', Not 'Simple Life': EXCLUSIVEBecca Wood is a news and trending reporter for TODAY Digital based in New York City. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter.
Read more »
JTA implements new policy to help save riders money; improves ID requirements for seniorsJacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) is asking riders to use their MyJTA app on their phones to help save money starting May 1.
Read more »
New mirror that can be flexibly shaped improves X-ray microscopesA team of researchers in Japan has engineered a mirror for X-rays that can be flexibly shaped, resulting in remarkable precision at the atomic level and increased stability.
Read more »
New mirror that can be flexibly shaped improves X-ray microscopesResearchers have developed a unique shape-tunable mirror that can change shape to optimally channel X-rays. It is composed of a single crystal of lithium niobate. This new technology offers the ability to correct aberration in the X-ray region, leading to improved spatial resolution.
Read more »
New Zealand's Business NZ PMI still in contraction territory, but improves to 48.9 in AprilBusinessNZ's New Zealand Performance of Manufacturing Index (PMI) saw an uptick in April, with the seasonally-adjusted figure coming in at 48.9 compared to March's 46.8, but is still lower than February's 49.1.
Read more »