Researchers at Yale University have developed a new approach using CRISPR-Cas12a technology to create advanced mouse models for studying genetic interactions that influence immune responses to diseases like cancer. This method allows scientists to simultaneously analyze multiple genes in a single experiment, making genetic research more efficient and insightful.
Over the past 15 years, advancements in the gene-editing technology CRISPR-Cas9 have provided significant insights into the roles specific genes play in various diseases. However, this technology, which uses a “guide” RNA, a small piece of RNA used in CRISPR gene editing to help scientists find the exact spot on the DNA they want to change, to modify DNA sequences and assess the outcomes, is currently limited to targeting, deleting, replacing, or modifying only single gene sequences at a time.
However, the scientists have now created advanced mouse models using CRISPR technology that enables them to simultaneously evaluate genetic interactions across various immunological responses to multiple diseases like cancer. Gene editing technologies enable scientists to use enzymes, such as Cas9, as molecular scissors to precisely cut or modify specific segments of DNA or RNA, providing valuable insights into the role of these genes in various disorders. The new tool, CRISPR-Cas12a, allows researchers to simultaneously evaluate the effects of multiple genetic changes that influence different immune system responses, according to the researchers.
The research noted this advancement could be valuable in the future to combat a host of pathologies, including cancer, metabolic disease, autoimmune disease, and neurological disorders.
This connects to AP Bio in multiple ways. For example, modifying genes can affect cellular functions and processes like cell division and apoptosis. This new technology is used to understand how changes in specific genes can influence cell behavior, which is essential in studying diseases like cancer. In addition, the new developments in CRISPR can be used to study impacts gene editing has on the immune system, and its various responses and functions throughout the body. Lastly, genetic mutation can be better understood through CRISPR editing as it effectively is creating its own “mutation”, changing sequences of codons to form different amino acids after DNA Replication, Transcription, and Translation. What are your thoughts on this research? How can it impact how we know genetics as we understand it today?
aaribosome
Hi Mattochondrubina,
I found this post truly eye-opening. It made me think of the derivative, the rate at which these advancements can happen. With what you talked about here, future research regarding CRISPR technology and that regarding disease mitigation will occur at an increasing rate. This research proposes cas12a’s abilities and significance in the way I am talking about: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7090318/. I was particularly drawn to this post because it was truly novel to me, even after reading a bountiful amount of articles searching for what to write about for my own blog post. So, I appreciate you writing about this topic.
As well, this somewhat scares me. If we have the ability to more effectively and efficiently edit multiple genes at a time, think about how far this can go. Could it get to the point where we can simply create genes with ease in their entirety and insert them into functioning cells? At that point, we may as well create our own lifeforms of whatever we want. We would be creating aliens before we even find them. This research is still just the beginning, and points us in a direction of many unknowns.