Gene Janitors: New Project Seeks to Clean up Genes in Nature

The Pentagon is opening a new project in the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA) that will focus on methods to clean up genetic spills. But what’s the point, don’t organisms “spill” their genetic material in the form of skin cells or hair follicles all the time? Well of course, but the genes that Safe Genes (the name of the project) will be dealing will are engineered genes that are thought to have a negative impact on the environment. The hope is to produce controlled methods for containing these genes in the wild in order to reduce the amount of disease carrying insects and pests. The ideal timeline would drastically decrease these things in under 20 generations.

With so many tools available to edit genomes, systems are rising to try to control the effects of gene editing. Gene drive technologies (that use genetically enhanced organisms to control harmful phenotypes) are being examined to identify potential methods of control such as tissue specific editing systems or tiny antibodies that genetically arm target organisms to inhibit the spread of undesired or altered genotypes.

Links:

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/u-s-military-preps-for-gene-drives-run-amok/

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/09/science/national-academies-sciences-gene-drive-technology.html?

Unexpected New Way To Produce Nylon Discovered During Cancer Research

At the Duke cancer institute, a study was  performed on genetic changes in healthy cells that turn cancerous, when Dr. Reitman and his colleagues thought of a new use for an altered enzyme produced by a genetically mutated brain cell. They believed that the same genetic mutation that has been seen in cancer cells could be used to alter a  similar enzyme to the one under study. This enzyme, that is found in bacteria and yeast, can produce 2-hydroxyadipate dehydrogenase. The enzyme 2-hydroxyadipate dehydrogenase is essential for the synthesis of adipic acid. 2-hydroxyadipate dehydrogenase has been long sought to be able to perform green production of nylon. As of now, adipic acid is created using fossil fuels and creates N2O, which is a lead producer to global warming. Dr.Reitman and his colleagues were able to apply their observation of a genetic mutation into being able to produce adipic acids from simple sugars. Sequencing cancer genome allowed for the discovery of  new enzyme functions.

With a society that is pushing for green alternatives, it is always with great pleasure to learn of alternatives to use of fossil fuels and prevention of the environmentally harming N2O . Not only would this help the environment from man's giant carbon footprint, it would also help to conserve one of man's precious resources. Adipic acid is one of the most widely used chemicals in the world and its production is genuinely considered one of the leading causes of global warning. I believe any findings of alternatives for fossil fuels should be investigated to its maximum potential. I find it fascinating that cancer genome research was able to lead to green chemistry. This article shows the usefulness that genetic research creates outside of the typically thought of medical and agricultural fields.