Weekly Updates | March 24 | #5
An exciting week: Eliminating HIV, Solving infidelity reasons, Engineering transgenic insulin cows, and mRNA breakthroughs.
#1 CRISPR Helps Eliminate HIV From Infected Cells
A team of Dutch scientists has successfully used the CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing system to remove HIV from infected cells. The researchers targeted conserved segments of the HIV genome and were able to effectively remove the virus from T-cells in the lab. Although further research is needed, this study could pave the way for a potential cure for HIV in the future.
Key points:
The CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing system has been successfully employed to cut HIV out of infected cells.
CRISPR is a defence mechanism in bacterial cells that slices up the genes of invading viruses; it has been repurposed by scientists to target and remove specific genomic sequences.
HIV is difficult to treat because it can enter immune cells and incorporate its genome into the cell's nuclear DNA, creating a reservoir of the virus that can continuously produce new virus particles.
The researchers created guide DNA sequences that target conserved segments of the HIV genome and used CRISPR tools to remove the virus from infected T-cells in the lab.
Further research is needed to optimize the delivery route and test the treatment in pre-clinical and human trials.
Highlights:
The researchers hope that their findings could lead to a broad-spectrum treatment for all HIV infections.
This study marks an important step towards finding a potential cure for HIV.
References:
#2 Infidelity: Is There A Gene For Cheating?
Few research suggests that there is a strong genetic link to infidelity. Studies of twins have shown that monozygotic (identical) twins are more similar in their likelihood of being unfaithful than dizygotic (fraternal) twins. It is estimated that between 40-60% of the variation in infidelity can be explained by genetic factors. However, attempts to link infidelity to specific genes have been largely unsuccessful. An article published this week emphasizes that genetic associations with infidelity should not be seen as evidence for a "cheating gene," but rather as evidence that a portion of the variation in unfaithful behavior may be attributed to genetic influences.
Key points:
Research involving twins has shown a strong genetic link to infidelity.
Monozygotic twins, who share 100% of their genes, are more similar in their likelihood of being unfaithful than dizygotic twins.
Between 40-60% of the variation in infidelity can be explained by genetic factors.
Attempts to link infidelity to specific genes have been largely unsuccessful.
Genetic associations with infidelity should not be seen as evidence for a "cheating gene," but rather as evidence that a portion of the variation in unfaithful behaviour may be attributed to genetic influences.
Highlights:
Twins studies suggest a strong genetic link to infidelity.
Infidelity has a genetic basis due to our evolutionary history.
Genetic associations with infidelity should not be seen as evidence for a "cheating gene."
Research has not found specific genes linked to infidelity.
Reference:
#3 mRNA With Multiple Tails Can Be A Better Therapeutic
Researchers from the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard and MIT have developed a new structure for messenger RNA (mRNA) molecules that could make them more effective as therapeutics. By adding multiple "tails" to the mRNA molecules, the researchers were able to increase mRNA activity levels in cells and extend their lifespan in animals. This discovery could lead to the development of more long-lasting treatments for diseases that require gene editing or protein replacement.
Key points:
Messenger RNA (mRNA) has gained attention due to its role in COVID-19 vaccines, but it is also being explored as a new class of drugs.
Researchers from the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard and MIT have engineered a new mRNA structure by adding multiple "tails" to the molecules.
The multi-tailed mRNAs showed increased activity levels in cells and lasted longer in animals compared to unmodified mRNA.
Incorporating the multi-tailed mRNAs into a CRISPR gene-editing system resulted in more efficient gene editing in mice.
This research opens up possibilities for the development of long-lasting treatments for diseases that require gene editing or protein replacement.
Highlights:
The use of mRNA in COVID vaccines has prompted researchers to explore the therapeutic applications of mRNA beyond vaccines.
Non-natural mRNA structures with multiple "tails" have been shown to function better than naturally occurring structures.
The new structure of mRNA is well tolerated by cellular translation machinery, opening up new opportunities for modifying mRNA for therapeutic purposes.
#4 Transgenic Cows Might Replace Bacterias By Producing Insulin-Rich Milk
Researchers from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the Universidade de São Paulo have successfully produced human insulin in the milk of a transgenic cow. By inserting a segment of human DNA coding for proinsulin into cow embryos, they were able to create a cow capable of producing insulin in her milk. This advancement could lead to increased insulin production, potentially alleviating drug scarcity and high costs for people with diabetes.
Key points:
Researchers have produced human insulin in the milk of a transgenic cow.
The cow was created by inserting human DNA coding for proinsulin into cow embryos and implanting them into normal cows in Brazil.
The mammary tissues of the cow were targeted for insulin expression using genetic engineering technology.
The cow successfully produced human proinsulin and insulin, though in smaller quantities than expected.
The research team plans to re-clone the cow and aims to achieve greater success in future generations.
The ultimate goal is to establish a purpose-built herd of transgenic cows capable of producing large quantities of insulin.
Highlights:
The production of human insulin in cow's milk could eliminate drug scarcity and high costs for people with diabetes.
The mammary gland's natural ability to produce large quantities of protein makes it an efficient system for producing insulin.
The researchers used targeted genetic engineering techniques to ensure that the insulin was only expressed in mammary tissue, avoiding circulation in the cow's blood or other tissues.
The transgenic cow produced both proinsulin and insulin, with the mammary gland processing the proinsulin into active insulin.
The team plans to continue refining the process and hopes to create a purpose-built herd of transgenic cows for insulin production.
Reference:
Proof-of-concept study shows how human insulin can be produced in cow's milk (phys.org)
Paulo S. Monzani et al, Human proinsulin production in the milk of transgenic cattle, Biotechnology Journal (2024). DOI: 10.1002/biot.202300307
#5 CRISPR-Based Method To “Seek” DNA Data
Researchers at the University of Connecticut have developed a method called Search Enabled by Enzymatic Keyword Recognition (SEEKER) that utilizes CRISPR-Cas12a to search for data stored in DNA. This method allows for the quantitative searching of information stored in DNA, which is a promising medium for data storage due to its stability and high information density. SEEKER utilizes CRISPR technology to rapidly generate visible fluorescence when a DNA target matching a specific keyword is present, making it easier and faster to search for specific data within DNA strands.
Key points:
Traditional data storage methods are facing challenges due to limited storage capacities, leading to the exploration of alternate mediums such as DNA.
DNA has physical density, data longevity, and data encryption abilities, making it a promising solution for data storage.
Searching for data within DNA strands has been challenging, but the researchers at the University of Connecticut have developed SEEKER, a method that uses CRISPR-Cas12a to search for specific data stored in DNA.
SEEKER utilizes the growth rate of fluorescence intensity to quantitatively search for keywords within DNA strands, providing a simple and rapid way to search for data.
The researchers successfully identified keywords in 40 files using SEEKER, demonstrating its effectiveness in searching for specific data within DNA.
Highlights:
DNA is a promising medium for data storage due to its stability and high information density.
SEEKER utilizes CRISPR technology to rapidly generate visible fluorescence when a DNA target matching a specific keyword is present.
SEEKER provides a quantitative approach to searching for data within DNA with simple implementation and rapid result generation.
References:
Jiongyu Zhang et al., CRISPR-powered quantitative keyword search engine in DNA data storage, Nature Communications (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46767-x