Scientists are Able to Better Modify Genes and Gene Expression Using Genetically Modified CRISPR RNA

        Researchers at the New York Genome Center were able to create chemically modified guide RNA's From the CRISPR family that can help alter RNA in human cells. CRISPR stands for "clustered, regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats", are a family of DNA repeats found in the prokaryotic genome. The process used at the New York Genome Center consisted of genetically modifying guide RNA's from the CRISPR family and making them specifically target cell surface receptors in human T-cells. Their particular experiment contained modified guide RNA's from the SARS-COV2 virus, these guides were called CRISPR Cas-13. Scientists and drug developers claim that this technique enhances the ability to trace, edit, and remove RNA in human cells. There is current experimentation with this technique that is attempting at lessening the effects of Covid on those who become infected. To do this scientists are trying to knockdown the universal RNA leader sequence of Covid-19. This leader sequence is released within the body and is responsible for replicating and infecting other cells inside the body. This new technique of RNA modification may be able to remove the ability of the RNA leader sequence from replicating within our bodies without modifying the underlying human DNA genome.

         The ability of this advanced RNA modification to not alter the underlying human DNA has large potential within the medical field as there will be less negative side effects to patients who undergo this treatment. Once this technique is perfected, new viruses may be able to be cured and contained within a matter of weeks. Scientists have many different CRISPR sequences to experiment with. Using CRISPR DNA to alter human RNA has already proven to be a huge advancement in virus and disease control with many future possibilities. 

Article Link: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/08/210802140153.htm

Related Link: https://www.livescience.com/58790-crispr-explained.html

New Look Into the "Wellderly's" Genome

A  new medical study emerging from the journal Cell is beginning to identify genes associated with "healthy-aging" and comparing it to genomes of those tested because of their long life-spans. The cohort is known as the "Wellderly's," a group of <80 year old males and females absent of chronic illnesses and use of chronic medications (excluding basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma). At the time of publication, a total of 1,354 individuals from 80 to 105 years old had been included in the cohort and all had undergone Whole Genome Sequencing.


Photo: Researchers have uncovered some of the secrets of healthy aging with their new gene study. Source: medicalnewstoday.com

This study is the first of it's kind because it focuses on longevity and health as opposed to longevity and disease. The purpose is to discover genes that nature has provided us that protect against age related diseases such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and coronary heart disease. The Wellderly cohort as compared to a control group had lower risks of Alzheimer's and coronary heart disease, two major diseases linked with age-related illness and death.

So far, a variant in the COL25A1 gene has been linked to protection against Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's is largely contributed to a build-up of amyloid beta plaques in the brain. This variant in the gene appears to have some protection against amyloid beta plaque build-up. It is my belief that preserved health into old-age will have a lot to do with the body's ability to withstand oxidative stress and that the genes they continue to find will protect the body against it.

Medical School Genetics Course Lacking

In the article, "Study finds positive trends in medical genetics education", in Science Daily they were talking about how the genetics curricula was not where it should be in medical schools. The genetics courses are increasing and evolving because right know most of the genetics is taught in the first two years of school and little to none in the third and fourth years. They are looking for new innovative ways to incorporate genetics into the curricula. More then 40% of the medical schools that participated in the survey in the U.S. and Canada do not teach the important topics of genetics. They are saying that it is necessary for future doctors to be literate in genomics. They just want to increase the topic of genetics in the program. They want to build concrete steps to make sure that the future physicians fully exposed to genomic medicine. The educators feel responsible to prepare their students to be ready to be in the clinical field and be able to understand the genetics of medicine.

It is extremely important for doctors to understand the genomic medicine because that enables doctors to have a broader understanding of medicine and diagnostics. The fact that 40% of schools do not incorporate genetics in their curricula already, really took me back because I think that it is a basis that should be learned. If it is taken as an undergrad, I think in medical school they should go in depth. But, in order to be successful at genetics, they also have to have digital literacy, because most of genetics is done through computers. That is something that I think that they should have mentioned in the paper. Personally, I think that everyone should take a programming class because not only does it increase your digital literacy, but also programming increases your problem solving ability. I took a programming class in high school and in college and although they were tough classes, programming is a good skill to acquire. So along with making sure genetics is incorporated into the medical school curricula I think programming should be as well.