As a result of a recent study, scientists have found that CRISPR can pinpoint location
A new method presented in the journalNature Communications, It will allow researchers to explore new therapeutic applications in the field of epigenetics — the study of the behavior of genes within cells.
Every cell of the human body has one and the sameDNA is a complete set of genes, but not every gene is included in every cell. Some cells have certain genes that tell the cell to make certain proteins. For some, these genes are turned off, while for others they are turned on. Sometimes, as is the case with genetic diseases, this switch goes awry. A new tool, created in the laboratory of Lacramioar Bintu, assistant professor of bioengineering at Stanford, could correct these mistakes.
It is much more difficult than scissors, because the usualCRISPR cannot turn genes on and off in a controlled way without breaking DNA. To make changes without harming DNA, CRISPR needs the help of other large, complex effector proteins. With a new combo tool, CRISPR finds the gene you want, and the effector can flip a switch.
The problem is that these effector molecules are usually too large to be easily delivered to the cell for therapeutic use.To further complicate matters, multiple effectors are typically used in combination to precisely regulate specific cellular behavior.This makes the combination of CRISPR effectors even larger, hence more difficult to produce and deliver.
To get around this obstacle, a team of scientiststurned to smaller proteins - nanobodies. Nanobodies do not replace effectors. Instead, they act as tiny hooks that catch the required effectors that are already inside the cell. All you have to do is choose the right nanobody, and it uses the right effector to switch.
The new technique can be used to correct epigenetic defects without the need to combine CRISPR with large effectors.
At the moment, the technique is at the stageconcept validation. The next step for the team will be to sort through the millions of potential nanobodies and figure out how to attach them to CRISPR to target specific epigenetic disorders.
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