The severe metabolic liver disease hereditary tyrosinemia type I has been corrected in a mouse model using CRISPR. The American researchers used AAV-delivery for the targeted insertion of a promoterless fumarylacetoacetate hydrolase (FAH) gene into the Apoa1 locus to achieve the feat.
Research
An international team of researchers demonstrates successful genome editing in primary human islets using CRISPR-Cas9. The team managed to edit several genes and non-coding DNAs targeting type 2 diabetes risk variants and thereby altering various islet β-cell regulators.
Ligand-activation of guide RNA to control CRISPR/Cas9 function has been obtained by integrating of the theophylline aptamer into protein-unrecognized regions of guide RNA. The method opens a new window towards conditional control of CRISPR-Cas9 function.
CRISPR Therapeutics is to receive a hefty $900m payment in a reworked deal with Vertex dating back to 2015. In the new deal, CRISPR Therapeutics will have to pay 40% of its development expenses (up from 0%) but receives the huge upfront payment with a further $200 million due upon the first regulatory approval of its CTX001 therapy for β-thalassemia and severe sickle cell disease.
An easy-to-understand piece sheds light on the complex legal battle for ownership of CRISPR patents. The battle not only involves the three central players - Jennifer Doudna, Emmanuelle Charpentier and Feng Zhang - but also Vilnius University, DowDuPont, MilliporeSigma and Cellectis that all own CRISPR patents.
Reviews
A review in Trends of Genetics looks into how DNA double-strand breaks are repaired by, e.g., microhomology-mediated end joining (MMEJ) or homology-directed repair (HDR) after CRISPR-Cas9 cutting. The review dives into the involvement of several key factors, including the cell cycle, target site sequence and chromatin structure, and the identity of the donor DNA template.
The Synthetic Biology Biopharma Conference 2021 will focus on how 2020 transformed the Biopharma Industry and how technologies and diagnostic capabilities continue to accelerate drug discovery. The online conference will take place 26-27 May 2021.