Gene-Editing Tool CRISPR-Cas9 Can Now Monitor And Target RNA In Living Cells

[HuckleB]

http://www.techtimes.com/articles/142061/20160318/gene-editing-tool-crispr-cas9-can-now-monitor-and-target-rna-in-living-cells.htm

"The new genetic tool called CRISPR-Cas9 can now be used as an accessible means to track and target the movement of RNA in living cells, researchers found.

A person's susceptibility to disease and characteristics like the color of the hair or eyes, are all encoded in the deoxyribonucleic acid or DNA. Scientists have long been sequencing human genome in order to develop ways to alter the genetic code. However, there are some diseases that are linked to RNA, another important molecule.

Researchers at the University Of California, San Diego figured out how to use the tool on the messenger RNA that carries genetic instructions from the nucleus of the cell to make new proteins.

"We are just beginning to see the implications of genome engineering using the CRISPR technology, but many diseases, including cancer and autism, are linked to problems with another fundamental biological molecule: RNA," said Gene Yeo of the University of California, San Diego.

..."

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Interesting stuff.

[trotsky]

1. That's pretty damn amazing. n/t

[progressoid]

2. CRISPR is super cool.

And it is really going to freak some people out.

Luddites. http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2016/01/26/crispr-gene-editing-technology.aspx

[HuckleB]

3. Mercola is definitely one of the kings of fear mongering.

Yikes.