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Thanks to CRISPR, medical specialists will soon have unprecedented control over how they treat and prevent some of the most challenging genetic disorders and diseases.
CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) is a Nobel Prize-winning gene-editing tool, already widely used by scientists to cut and modify DNA sequences to turn genes on and off or insert new DNA that can correct abnormalities. CRISPR uses an enzyme known as Cas9 to cut and alter DNA.
Engineers at the USC Alfred E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering have now developed an update to the tool that will allow CRISPR technology to be even more powerful with the help of focused ultrasound.
The Armenians, a population in Western Asia historically native to the Armenian Highlands, were long thought to be descendants of Phrygian settlers from the Balkans. This theory, rooted primarily in the writings of the Greek historian Herodotus, stemmed from his observation that Armenians serving in the Persian army were armed in a manner similar to the Phrygians. Linguists have also bolstered this theory, noting linguistic connections between the Armenian language and the Thraco-Phrygian subgroup of Indo-European languages.
But the first whole-genome study is challenging this long-held belief, revealing no significant genetic link between Armenians and the populations in the Balkan region. The study compares newly generated modern Armenian genomes and published genetic data of ancient individuals from the Armenian highlands with both modern and ancient genomes from the Balkans.
A novel breakthrough, leveraging CRISPR gene-editing technology, is revolutionizing how scientists study sEVs. This innovative approach, known as CIBER (CRISPR-assisted individually barcoded sEV-based release regulator), enables researchers to investigate thousands of genes simultaneously.
By tagging sEVs with unique RNA “barcodes,” CIBER offers unparalleled insights into the molecular processes regulating sEV release, setting the stage for advancements in biotechnology and disease treatment.
Extracellular vesicles, which include sEVs, are small, membrane-enclosed particles released by cells into their surroundings. Their size, origin, and cargo determine their classification. sEVs, typically 30–200 nanometers in diameter, are among the smallest but most intriguing members of this group. These vesicles transport biomolecules—such as RNA, proteins, and lipids —between cells, acting as communication messengers.
Has human evolution come to a standstill? Advances in technology and medicine have radically changed the way we live, but could they be changing the course of our genetic future? The surprising truth behind how modern progress may be changing our biology — and what it means for our survival.
Junk DNA may not be so ‘junky’ after all – these regions may hide genetic material coding for tiny proteins involved in disease processes like cancer and immunology.
Our records of the human genome may still be missing tens of thousands of ‘dark’ genes. These hard-to-detect sequences of genetic material can code for tiny proteins, some involved in disease processes like cancer and immunology, a global consortium of researchers has confirmed.
They may explain why past estimates of our genome’s size were way larger than what the Human Genome Project discovered 20 years ago.
Continue reading “‘Dark Genes’ Hiding Unseen in Human DNA Have Just Been Revealed” »
Chaperones are molecular machines that help proteins in the cell fold into their proper shape. Among them, UNC45 plays a critical role in muscle health by ensuring the proper function of myosin, a key protein essential for muscle movement. UNC45 manages this by directing damaged myosin to degradation pathways while guiding correctly folded myosin toward assembly. Researchers from Tim Clausen’s lab at the IMP have uncovered the mechanisms behind this process, providing new insights into how disruptions in myosin quality control can lead to serious muscle disorders. Their findings have been published in Nature Communications.
Muscle movement relies on the interaction between two key proteins: actin and myosin. These proteins slide past each other to generate the force needed for movement. For this process to work efficiently, actin and myosin must be precisely organized within the sarcomere, the basic structural and functional unit of muscle cells. This arrangement is crucial for maintaining muscle health, particularly during exercise, periods of stress, and as the body ages.
To ensure proteins achieve their correct shape, cells use specialized molecular assistants called chaperones. These chaperones act as caretakers, helping proteins fold and assemble correctly. For myosin, which makes up about 16% of the total protein in muscle cells, proper structure is especially important. One critical chaperone for this task is UNC45, found in all eukaryotic organisms. Identified through genetic studies, UNC45 plays a vital role in shaping myosin and preserving the integrity of the sarcomere. The importance of UNC45 is evident in severe muscle disorders, known as myopathies, which can result from mutations in the UNC45 gene.
As we explore space outside our solar system, genetic engineering offers hope for overcoming challenges like radiation exposure and the effects of microgravity. By understanding and modifying our genes, we could make astronauts more resilient and improve their health in space. However, these advancements raise important ethical questions about safety, fairness, and long-term impacts, which must be carefully considered as we develop new space travel technologies.
We are on the edge of exploring space outside our solar system. This is not just a major advancement in technology, but a transformation for all of mankind. As we aim for the stars, we also try to understand more about ourselves. Our exploration into space will determine the future of our history. However, this thrilling adventure comes with many challenges. We need to build faster spacecraft, develop ways to live sustainably in space and deal with the physical and mental difficulties of long space missions. Genetics may help us solve some of these problems. As we travel further into space, it will be important to understand how genetics affects our ability to adapt to the space environment. This knowledge will be crucial for the success of space missions and the well-being of astronauts.
Genetics offers a hopeful path to overcoming many challenges in space exploration. As we venture further into space, it becomes essential to understand how our genes affect the way we adapt to the space environment. Genetics affects many aspects of an astronaut’s ability to survive and do well in space. It influences how the body handles exposure to radiation, deals with microgravity, and copes with isolation. Some genetic differences, like changes in the Methylene-TetraHydrofolate-Reductase (MTHR) gene, can make certain people more vulnerable to the harmful effects of radiation in space. With tools like genetic testing and personalized medicine, space agencies can now choose the best-suited astronauts and develop health strategies to improve their safety and performance in harsh space conditions.
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From the article:
Scientists in Boston, Massachusetts have made reprogrammed stem cells from the blood of centenarians.
Centenarians offer an opportunity to study longevity. People who’ve lived to 100 have an amazing ability to bounce back from insult and injury, says George Murphy, a stem-cell biologist at the Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine. One centenarian he knows recovered from the 1912 Spanish flu and COVID-19, twice. One theory that explains centenarians’ robust age is that they possess a genetic makeup that protects them from diseases.
Continue reading “What’s the secret to living to 100? Centenarian stem cells could offer clues” »
