Release date: 2017-02-03
( With CRISPR, scientists can quickly edit low-cost genes. )
Genetic engineering is about to usher in a golden age. With the advancement of gene editing technology, scientists will be able to fine-tune the DNA of various organisms with unprecedented precision.
Just a few years ago, the modification of a single gene was a primitive, laborious, and futile process.
Nowadays, scientists have developed a novel gene editing technology called CRISPR/Cas9 (Chorical Heterologous Repetitive Sequence Cluster/Chorical Heterologous Repetitive Sequence Cluster Associated Protein System, referred to as CRISPR).
This technique differs from traditional genetic modification techniques in that it controls the immune system of the bacteria, truncates or even destroys individual genes, and then inserts new genes at their corresponding sites.
Many scientific fields have changed due to CRISPR. Although many important CRISPR work is still in the proof of concept stage, scientists believe that with the further clarification of the details, CRISPR is expected to become an extremely powerful tool.
“Soon, we can explore different combinations of genes, control the timing, location, and extent of gene expression, and explore the role of individual bases in DNA,†Earlham Institute, molecular and synthetic biologist. Nicola Patron said, "When the function of the DNA sequence is clear, the problems in all fields of biology can be answered. From treating human diseases to solving the mystery of species extinction."
Please note that Patron does not mention editing human embryos - that is, "designing" babies with a variety of superior traits, such as high IQ or muscular builds.
In fact, most scientists who are obsessed with CRISPR have said that this application is very difficult and not as important as other uses. In addition, embryo editors are also deeply involved in ethical minefields, and at least in the future, governments will not be able to release them.
In other words, so far, custom babies are still on the sidelines. So, from a somewhat realistic level, what are the most exciting prospects for CRISPR? What ways can you change the world?
1) Uncover the secrets of the various divisions of the genes
Although the entire genome of mice, corn, and even humans has been sequenced, we still don't know much about what genes, such as which traits or diseases, are responsible for. Clearing up the clue is an extraordinarily difficult task.
And CRISPR technology is expected to change this. With the help of CRISPR, we can destroy specific genes and observe the results to deepen our understanding of different genes. “This is one of its most inspiring uses,†said Jennifer Doudna, a female scientist at the University of California at Berkeley, a pioneer in CRISPR. “We may know what is the relationship between genomic sequences and the behavior of different organisms. contact."
(The magical resurrection of the resurrection plant.)
2) Edit plant genes to improve food safety
In the next 30 years, there will be an additional 2 billion people on the planet who need to feed. In other words, there is no time to increase grain production. One way is to genetically edit the crops to increase their resistance to weeds, insects, and droughts, and to speed up their growth.
At the University of Minnesota, the laboratory of plant geneticist Dan Voytas is using CRISPR to target plants for genomic modification. He said that at the moment, he is developing herbicide-tolerant cassava varieties for small farmers in Africa.
Voitas also wants to know how to use CRISPR to improve the photosynthetic efficiency of rice. Crops such as rice, potatoes and cassava are staple foods in many developing countries, but their photosynthetic efficiency is low in hot environments. If this indicator is strengthened, the yield can be significantly increased.
(CRIS/Cas9 system for targeting RNA in cells.)
3) Looking for potential therapies for Alzheimer's disease
Martin Kampmann is a cell biologist at the Institute of Neurodegenerative Diseases at the University of California, San Francisco.
He has been involved in the development of a CRISPR-based platform for the search for degenerative diseases – such as finding the genetic regulation process behind Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.
4) Develop new cancer therapies
CRISPR can also be used to treat certain cancers, and scientists began this journey a few years ago. Recently, the University of Pennsylvania was approved to conduct a small-scale clinical trial: extracting immune cells from 18 patients, modifying them with CRISPR, enhancing the ability to localize and kill cancer cells, and finally transplanting the edited cells back into the patient. Observe the effect.
This is just the beginning. For example, for tumors caused by "errors" in DNA, we can use CRISPR technology to create safer and more effective inhibitors.
5) Reduce human dependence on petrochemical products
In today's world, the production of materials such as plastics still relies on hydrocarbon molecules in fossil fuels. But with CRISPR, this status quo is expected to change.
At the University of California, Riverside, a team's research topic is how to use CRISPR to manipulate a type of yeast that converts sugar into hydrocarbons. The ultimate goal is to get rid of inefficient petroleum-based processes by genetic engineering, allowing yeast to produce certain bases for certain polymers, binders and fragrances.
This is just one of them. Other researchers want to edit yeast with CRISPR technology to reduce our dependence on various petrochemical products.
(Tobacco and its close relatives can all be living factories that produce drugs.)
6) Planting drugs and vaccines
In the production of drugs and vaccines, pharmaceutical manufacturers are beginning to convert plants or plant cells into living plants to produce metabolites and proteins.
Plants are a good production system because they are strong, inexpensive, and less susceptible to contamination by toxins or pathogens. This is also known as the "Molecular Drug Farm."
With CRISPR, we can explore the way genes regulate plants, the response mechanisms of foreign molecules, and the way DNA repairs itself.
Recently, Patron is working on the development of special plants using CRISPR to produce difficult drugs and vaccines.
7) Destroy HIV, herpes and hepatitis viruses
We have made great strides in the treatment of HIV, herpes, hepatitis and human papillomavirus (HPV), but the virus is still not completely eliminated.
Bryan Richard Cullen of Duke University Medical Center says researchers can now use CRISPR technology to lock and destroy these stubborn DNA viruses, something that could not be done before.
Source: Create
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