Scientists attempting to create "Virus-Proof" cells

In May 2018, a group of scientists called the Genome Project-write, announced a community wide project to develop cells resistant to viruses, radiation, freezing, aging and cancer. These cells have been termed, "ultra safe cells". The group believes that it can trick viruses into DNA illiteracy by "re coding" the DNA. Once the virus is unable to read the target's DNA it loses its capacity to manipulate human genes into viral reproduction.

Re coding the DNA refers to the process of recreating the human genome without redundancy. So essentially there would only be one codon coding for one amino acid, vs. multiple codons signaling for one amino acid. This logic seems to have been effective when executed with E.Coli. after making 321 changes to E. Coli's genome, the bacteria had become resistant to certain viruses.

The Genome Project-write has teamed up with Cellectis bio pharmaceuticals, who have provided the scientists with a genome editing tool called TALEN. It should come as no shock that pharmaceutical companies are helping finance this project because drug companies lose a tremendous deal of product to viral contamination in manufacturing. Researchers hope that these "ultra safe cells" can help preserve medicines and lower their cost.

This is ground breaking science that seems to be fairly attainable. The only fear researchers should mind is the evolutionary capacity of viruses. It would be a real shame to put an incredible amount of time and money into a project that viruses adapt to and learn in a few years.

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Two children have been cancer-free for up to 18 months after receiving a controversial gene-editing therapy

A new cancer treatment helped two children with leukemia be disease-free for up to 18 months, new research reveals. Researchers from Great Ormond Street Hospital in London investigated a new cancer treatment in two infants with an aggressive form of leukemia. The youngsters received an immune-boosting treatment alongside a gene-editing technique, known as TALENS, that altered their DNA. TALENS is a form of gene editing that causes specific immune cells, known as T cells, to express proteins that target tumors. The youngsters had previously been treated with chemotherapy and received stem cell transplants.The researchers made four DNA alterations on immune cells from donors and infused the cells into the patients. Results revealed that both youngsters have been cancer-free for 16 and 18 months, respectively.

The findings were published in the journal Science Transnational Medicine. 

New Gene-Editing Therapy Technique Effective in Leukemia Patient

          The picture above is of Layla a one-year-old girl with Leukemia who was recently put into remission through the use of gene-editing technology.  This is only the second trial of gene-editing used as therapy the first trial was used in HIV patients.  Layla's was not responding well from conventional treatment methods for Leukemia, so after a request she was given the new gene editing treatment.

          This technique requires the healthy T cells from a donor.  The T cells are then modified so that they are protected from the anti-cancer drugs that the patient has been taking.  The T cells are also "edited" with a DNA-cutting enzyme called  TALEN.  This deactivates the immune cells from attacking the leukemia patient when injected.  The patient then undergoes therapy in which their immune system in destroyed and replaced with the modified donor T cells.  There are however many concerns when dealing with ex vivo and in vivo gene therapy. They can cause cut and mutations in other parts of the genome. Also for in vivo therapy the DNA-delievering vector can stay active in the body years after injection which raises concern for future immune reactions. There is definitely more research necessary for this treatment to become more conventional.

         While this technique resulted in a cancer free Layla it is still an experimental stage and more research is being put into gene-editing therapy.  In my opinion I believe that this can open many doors for treating immune system related diseases. Just the fact that a technique has been used for two diseases that have been found extremely difficult to treat shows where the research is going towards.  To see new treatment techniques coming out out seemingly every year is amazing.

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Genetically Modified Cattle Show Resistance to Tuberculosis.

Research performed at Northwest A&F University in China produced the first genetically modified (GM) cattle resistant to tuberculosis.  The cattle produced were more difficult to infect and were largely protected against the actual symptoms of the disease. Myobacterium bovis is the bacteria responsible for bovine TB, which is a close relative to the bacteria that causes TB in humans. Bovine TB affects several species worldwide other than cattle and currently, the only methods of controlling the disease are culling or placing the animals on antibiotics, which can both be extremely costly and/or devastating. When one cow shows up positive for a TB test, usually the entire herd is culled to prevent possible other positives, and human transmission. In undeveloped regions, there is no effective control of the disease, and it can spread to humans via drinking an infected cow's unpasteurized milk.

The researchers deleted naturally occurring genes and inserted mouse gene SP110 into Holstein-Fresian cattle DNA using a technique called TALEN. In mice, SP110 helped protect them against TB transmission. 23 GM calves were produced. 13 calves lived into adulthood, and when their cells were studied, they showed higher resistance to M. bovis than cattle that were not genetically modified. The next step of the study was to introduce M. bovis into the lungs of 3 of the 13 GM cattle and 3 control (non-GM) cattle. Out of the GM cattle, 1 showed no signs of TB and the other 2 had reduced lesions on their major organs from the disease after necropsy several weeks later. Next, 9 of the 13 GM cattle and 9 control cattle were housed together with animals infected with TB. 6 out of the 9 GM cattle were not infected and the remaining 3 showed very minimal symptoms. All 9 of the control cattle contracted TB and had extensive lung damage.

While this study did not prove complete resistance, researchers say it is a goal to develop disease-resistant livestock.

GMO, antibiotics, culling... all of these things are huge in the animal welfare and nutrition world. While I personally do not have any issues eating GMO's, I am skeptical as to how this affects the future generations of cattle that have the SP110 gene. Just because the cattle are resistant to TB does not mean they are resistant to other diseases and infectious organisms either.

This is a HUGE step in the right direction, even if some find it morally displeasing. I think we need better methods at controlling transmission other than one gene for one disease at a time. There are still "mad cow disease", west nile virus, and other pathogens that can wipe out an entire herd. In my opinion, the bigger feat here is controlling transmission possibly via sanitation and appropriate farming methods. I applaud the scientists that were able to accomplish this study with goals they had expected, and hope that this helps in the future of zoonotic disease control.

Original Article: TALE nickase-mediated SP110 knockin endows cattle with increased resistance to tuberculosis

Disease-fighters Disrupt Mosquito's Genes with Molecular Scissors

               

Used TALENs to change the eye color in mosquito's and removing part of the genetic code.
 Offspring had light colored eyes and confirms that the genetic code has been wiped out. 

 Scientists at Virginia Tech have successfully disrupted the genes that control eye color in mosquitoes. This procedure has been accomplished by using a genetic-engineering technique. This method relies on two specially designed proteins that belong to a class identified as transcription activator-like effector nucleases, TALENs  this can target DNA at a precise site in an organism’s genetic code. Zach Adelman, a Virginia Tech entomologist, refers to these TALENs as “a very, very fine-tuned pair of scissors”.

               

                  The Virginia Tech researchers had used a different approach with the TALENs. They did not modify the function of a gene; they intended to restrict a gene by cutting away at it. In this procedure, genetically engineered TALEN proteins were injected into the germ cells of mosquito embryos early in their development. The intention of this process was to interrupt the coding for the eye pigmentation that would be handed down to the next generation. When the mosquitoes gave birth to their offspring, a great percentage of the offspring had light-colored eyes rather than the typical black eyes. This lack of pigment has confirmed that the genetic code had been wiped out.

                Scientists want to identify the genetic mechanisms in mosquitoes that have a role in virus transmission. If they can find these mechanisms, they can design an altered set of molecular scissors to disrupt that genetic code. This can help the fight against mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue fever. They would be able to remove that part of the mosquito’s genetic code and wipe out that disease.

                I found this story to be very interesting. It amazes me how fast our technology has enhanced and expanded. Scientists can now alter the genetic codes of different animal and human cells. Instead of just editing the genomes, they can now remove the gene. After the gene is removed, the offspring will not have that gene and we can generally wipe out the things that can harm us. However, I feel that this could also become a problem. There are things that would benefit us if they are improved yet, I feel that this could make people want to improve and remove too much. Scientist should continue to strive for new and improved results and technologies. 

http://www.nbcnews.com/science/disease-fighters-disrupt-mosquitos-genes-molecular-scissors-1C9007366

http://www.planet-science.com/categories/over-11s/natural-world/2012/08/molecular-scissors.aspx