Some of the best links we picked up around the internet
By: Gorm Palmgren - Jun. 11, 2021
Top picks
American researchers have used CRISPR lineage tracing to reconstruct cancer cell family trees in a mouse model. CRISPR was used to mutagenise synthetically introduced DNA sequences that served as cellular barcodes and were randomly edited in each cell generation. This allowed tracking of 28,000 cancer cells as they spread from the pancreas to other organs and tissues.
A paper in Methods in Molecular Biology describes a CRISPR-Cas9-based approach that enables targeted N6-methyladenosine (m6A) addition or removal on endogenous RNA molecules without altering the nucleotide sequence. m6A is a major epitranscriptomic mark exerting crucial diverse roles in RNA metabolisms. The method uses a catalytically inactive Cas9 fused with engineered m6A modification enzymes.
Novo Nordisk has entered a research agreement with SNIPR Biome - a leading CRISPR and microbiome biotech company in Copenhagen, Denmark. Under the agreement, Novo Nordisk will evaluate SNIPR Biome's proprietary CRISPR-based CGV Vector™️ technology on an undisclosed target for in situ production of therapeutics in the human microbiome.
Indian researchers describe a lateral strip paper flow assay that utilises Francisella novicida Cas9 (FnCas9) to detect Sars-CoV-2 within one hour. The assay can discriminate between subtypes of the virus (e.g., N501Y, E484K and T716I) with a sensitivity of 87% and specificity of 97%.
Reviews
Australian researchers review different ways to reprogram the anti-tumour immune response via CRISPR genetic and epigenetic editing. The authors have studied recently published Cas9-based clinical trial (genetic editing) and dCas9/Cas13-based pre-clinical (epigenetic editing) data. Also evaluated are the potential cancer immunotherapy-specific considerations and barriers surrounding the use of these approaches in the clinic.
CRISPR Medicine News will host a webinar entitled CRISPR Off-Targets on Wednesday, 23 June. In this webinar, Julia Klermund and Ayal Hendel will talk about two of the newest tools for detecting and characterising unintended on- and off-target events after genome editing. The webinar is free, and you can sign up here.