Biotech

New Gene-Editing Tool Could Rival CRISPR 🧬🔬🧫

A new tool uses segments of bacterial DNA to perform millions of genetic experiments simultaneously. These segments are known as retrons and used to produce fragments of single-stranded DNA. Created by Researchers from the Harvard’s Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering (), called the (Retron Library Recombineering) RLR technique.
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CRISPR-Cas9 is the primary technique in gene-editing, gives researchers the tools needed to alter DNA sequences. While this technique has a variety of potential applications, including life-saving treatments for various illnesses, CRISPR has its limitations. The Cas9 enzyme, known as “molecular scissors”, which slices segments of DNA, often cuts non-targeted sites and can be toxic to cells. CRISPR-Cas9 are not easily delivered in large quantities, limiting studies and increases experiment time.
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The newly introduced RLR technique proved to be successful in large-scale genetic experiments. Harvard researchers tested RLR on E. coli bacteria to locate antibiotic resistance mutations. Researchers explained how they were able to randomly chop up a bacterial genome, turn genetic fragments into single-stranded DNA in situ and use them to screen millions of sequences simultaneously. By sequencing retron barcodes instead of individually, making the process a lot faster.
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Do you support gene editing in humans or are you against it?

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✍️ Eduardo Cortez ()

📰 Engadget ()
🔸 Mariella Moon (May 2021) “Harvard scientists create gene-editing tool that could rival CRISPR”

# biologist

Gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy: nearing final tests 💪🧬🧪

By next year, two companies could have gene therapies for Duchenne muscular dystrophy in late-stage clinical trials. The start of those studies will mark the culmination of years of research, a milestone that could finally put a gene therapy for the debilitating disease within reach.

Both treatments, along with a third a little further behind, hold the potential to change Duchenne's course, driving excitement and hope of a potential breakthrough for patients, most of whom don't have good treatment options.

Three companies — Sarepta, Pfizer and Solid Biosciences — have similar Duchenne gene therapies in human testing.

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✍️ Astrobiotechnology ()
🖼️ Astrobiotechnology ()

📰 Source: BioPharma Dive

DNA robots designed in minutes instead of days 🧬🤖⌛

Researchers took a big step toward that future by developing a new tool that can design much more complex DNA robots and nanodevices than were ever possible before in a fraction of the time.

The software helps researchers design ways to take tiny strands of DNA and combine them into complex structures with parts like rotors and hinges that can move and complete a variety of tasks, including drug delivery.

Can you foresee the use for this kind of experiment?

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📰 Source: Science Daitly
🔸Huang (April, 2021), “Integrated computer-aided engineering and design for DNA assemblies”