First CRISPR-Cas9-based gene drive cuts and duplicates hereditary components in Arabidopsis plants Kumar Jeetendra | June 26, 2021 University of California San Diego scientists developed the first CRISPR/Cas9 based gene drive in plants. Their goal is to breed resilient crops that can withstand drought and diseases. Although gene drive technology for insects has been created to stop the spread and transmission of vector-borne diseases like Malaria, scientists in Professor Yunde Zha’s lab along …
Study uncovers the complex cell mechanism of Ebola Kumar Jeetendra | July 8, 2021 Mount Sinai researchers discovered the intricate cellular mechanisms of Ebola virus. This could help to explain the severe effects on people and provide potential treatment or prevention. The team published a study in mBio that showed how VP24, a protein from the Ebola virus interacts with the double-layered cell membrane (known as the nucleus) and …
Scientists test a library of lipid-based compounds to empower safe RNA drug delivery to Lungs Kumar Jeetendra | July 30, 2021 Japan’s Hokkaido University researchers created and tested a collection of lipid-based compounds in order to deliver RNA drugs safely and effectively to the lungs. The findings were published in Materials Horizons. The COVID-19 pandemic response made it all more familiar with RNA vaccines. These vaccines carry genetic code into the cells, which triggers the production …
Antibiotic resistance found in the gut microbiome of lemurs living near humans Kumar Jeetendra | August 10, 2021 The CDC describes antibiotic resistance as one of the most pressing public health crises in the world. It is currently being discovered in the stomachs of lemurs (our distant primate cousins). Researchers at Duke have discovered evidence of antibiotic resistance in the microbiome from lemurs that live close to humans, according to a new study …
New system joins PC programming and cryo-EM to decide 3D constructions of RNA-only molecules Kumar Jeetendra | August 16, 2021 The single-stranded gene material RNA, also known as RNA, is most well-known for its ability to guide the assembly of proteins and carry the genetic code for viruses such as HIV and SARS-CoV-2. Scientists discovered a hidden talent 40 years ago: It can catalyze chemical reaction in cells, including joining and snipping RNA strands. This …
