Monday, April 17, 2017

CRISPR Corrects Mutations

The website TheScientist published an article called "CRISPR Corrects Duchenne-Causing Mutations" which describes how scientists are fixing the mutation that causes a form of muscular dystrophy. this discovery came about when researchers were studying the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing system. The newly discovered  CRISPR-Cpf1 system has been used to correct diseasing-causing mutations within mouse and human genomes. Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is a fatal X-linked disease that causes the individual's skeletal to weaken along with their heart muscles. It is caused by one of thousands of mutations. Researchers are hoping this work with the CRISPR can potentially be used in a clinical settings in the future. Even though there are so many different mutations involved with genetic diseases in humans, the CRISPR system is not likely to cover all the possible mutations. I liked how this research combined with other teams to find the specific system to help with DMD. Now future researchers have a starting point to find other systems to help prevent other diseases affecting individuals.

Image result for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy cells

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