In the last decade, the use of the gene-editing technique known as CRISPR has accelerated biological and medical research by allowing scientists to repair the DNA of human cells almost as simply as using a pair of scissors.
It has given researchers hope for curing genetic diseases, because it is easy to use.
A team of researchers at Case Western Reserve University have developed a method that could make the method even more precise.
Their new technique combines CRISPR with a chemical process that allows gene editing to be more precisely located and timed.
Fu-Sen Liang, associate professor of chemistry, said that precision makes the technology more effective and reduces potential side effects.
The researchers, who include several Case Western Reserve post-doctoral researchers and students, believe the work could lead to more effective treatment for some diseases.
The new technology gives us the ability to target not only the place, but the time of the change. We believe that it could be very important, and that it has never been possible before.
The technique is used.
There is a acronym for Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats. The technology uses a specific enzyme that is guided by ribonucleic acid to cut and repair broken or damaged strands of DNA. All genetic information in humans and other organisms is carried by deoxyribonucleic acid.
The scientists at Case Western Reserve focused on manipulating the molecule, called RNA, which has a range of functions. Different properties and functions of the same genetic sequence can be achieved with different chemical modifications.
The scientists gained control of the precise location and timing of the changes to the RNA by combining their chemical process with CRISPR.
It appears that advancement is critical for understanding and controlling the roles of different RNA versions in fundamental biological processes and diseases.
The team used a common plant hormone and a process called "chemically induced proximity" to create the structural feature. They were able to switch between two versions of the same substance.
He said that scientists believe that m6A modification is linked to various human diseases.
The research team created a way to use ultraviolet light to switch ABA, making the editing process even more precise.
What makes the research even more exciting is that we believe it can be applied to other RNA modifications, not just m6A, and the functions of vast majority of those modifications are totally unknown.
More information: Huaxia Shi et al, Inducible and reversible RNA N6-methyladenosine editing, Nature Communications (2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-29665-y Journal information: Nature Communications Citation: Research team improves gene editing with chemical process (2022, May 16) retrieved 16 May 2022 from https://phys.org/news/2022-05-team-gene-chemical.html This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.
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