Genetic Engineering Publications - GEG Tech top picks
36.9K views | +5 today
Follow
 
Scooped by BigField GEG Tech
onto Genetic Engineering Publications - GEG Tech top picks
June 27, 2024 5:54 AM
Scoop.it!

Bridge RNAs direct programmable recombination of target and donor DNA - Nature

Bridge RNAs direct programmable recombination of target and donor DNA - Nature | Genetic Engineering Publications - GEG Tech top picks | Scoop.it
From www.nature.com - June 25, 2024 8:00 PM
Genomic rearrangements, encompassing mutational changes in the genome such as insertions, deletions or inversions, are essential for genetic diversity. These rearrangements are typically orchestrated by enzymes that are involved in fundamental DNA repair processes, such as homologous recombination, or in the transposition of foreign genetic material by viruses and mobile genetic elements1,2. Here we report that IS110 insertion sequences, a family of minimal and autonomous mobile genetic elements, express a structured non-coding RNA that binds specifically to their encoded recombinase. This bridge RNA contains two internal loops encoding nucleotide stretches that base-pair with the target DNA and the donor DNA, which is the IS110 element itself. We demonstrate that the target-binding and donor-binding loops can be independently reprogrammed to direct sequence-specific recombination between two DNA molecules. This modularity enables the insertion of DNA into genomic target sites, as well as programmable DNA excision and inversion. The IS110 bridge recombination system expands the diversity of nucleic-acid-guided systems beyond CRISPR and RNA interference, offering a unified mechanism for the three fundamental DNA rearrangements—insertion, excision and inversion—that are required for genome design. A bispecific non-coding RNA expressed by the IS110 family of mobile genetic elements forms the basis of a programmable genome-editing system that enables the insertion, excision or inversion of specific target DNA sequences.
BigField GEG Tech's insight:

RNA-guided recombinase enzymes have been discovered that herald a new chapter for genome editing — enabling the insertion, inversion or deletion of long DNA sequences at user-specified genome positions. 

more...
No comment yet.
Sign up to comment
Genetic Engineering Publications - GEG Tech top picks
Biology
Your new post is loading...
Your new post is loading...
Scooped by BigField GEG Tech
July 8, 6:23 AM
Scoop.it!

Turbocharged ‘killer’ cells show promise for autoimmune disease Nature

Turbocharged ‘killer’ cells show promise for autoimmune disease Nature | Genetic Engineering Publications - GEG Tech top picks | Scoop.it
From www.nature.com - July 6, 8:00 PM

Experimental treatment could offer a safer, cheaper alternative to CAR-T-cell therapies for disorders such as lupus.

BigField GEG Tech's insight:

Experimental treatment could offer a safer, cheaper alternative to CAR-T-cell therapies for disorders such as lupus.

more...
No comment yet.
Sign up to comment
Scooped by BigField GEG Tech
June 17, 7:04 AM
Scoop.it!

CAR-T cell therapy linked to brain fog in cancer patients

CAR-T cell therapy linked to brain fog in cancer patients | Genetic Engineering Publications - GEG Tech top picks | Scoop.it
From www.news-medical.net - May 12, 8:56 PM
After treatment with CAR-T cells - immune cells engineered to attack cancer - patients sometimes tell their doctors they feel like they have "brain fog," or forgetfulness and difficulty concentrating.
BigField GEG Tech's insight:

A recent study published in Cell by Stanford Medicine researchers reveals that CAR-T cell therapy, while transformative for cancer treatment, may lead to mild cognitive impairments, commonly referred to as "brain fog." This condition encompasses symptoms like forgetfulness and difficulty concentrating and appears to occur independently of other treatments such as chemotherapy. The study, conducted primarily in mice, identified mechanisms similar to those observed in cognitive impairments following chemotherapy and infections like COVID-19. Once activated by the immune response, brain’s immune cells, called microglia, release inflammatory molecules that damage oligodendrocytes (responsible for myelin production), thereby impairing neural signal transmission. Importantly, the researchers discovered potential strategies to reverse these effects using compounds akin to existing medications, suggesting that treatments could be developed relatively quickly. These findings underscore the importance of monitoring cognitive health in patients undergoing CAR-T therapy and developing interventions to mitigate such side effects and enhance quality of life.

more...
No comment yet.
Sign up to comment
Scooped by BigField GEG Tech
June 5, 6:56 AM
Scoop.it!

New STITCHR tool offers a promising step forward for gene therapy

New STITCHR tool offers a promising step forward for gene therapy | Genetic Engineering Publications - GEG Tech top picks | Scoop.it
From www.news-medical.net - April 9, 3:40 PM
Investigators from Mass General Brigham and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center have developed STITCHR, a new gene editing tool that can insert therapeutic genes into specific locations without causing unwanted mutations.
BigField GEG Tech's insight:

American researchers have unveiled STITCHR in Nature, a novel gene-editing tool that enables the precise insertion of entire therapeutic genes into specific genomic locations without introducing unwanted mutations. Unlike traditional CRISPR systems, which typically correct single mutations and often face targeting limitations, STITCHR offers a "one-and-done" solution by inserting full genes. It may be a game-changing approach for treating diseases caused by a wide range of mutations, such as cystic fibrosis. STITCHR, short for Specific Target-Primed Insertion Through Targeted CRISPR Homing of Retroelements, harnesses enzymes derived from retrotransposons, genetic elements also known as "jumping genes", to guide gene integration with high specificity. Notably, the system can be delivered entirely in RNA form, simplifying logistics compared to approaches that require both RNA and DNA components. This advancement marks a major step forward in gene therapy, offering a promising strategy to treat diverse genetic disorders by replacing faulty genes in their entirety.

more...
No comment yet.
Sign up to comment
Scooped by BigField GEG Tech
June 2, 11:16 AM
Scoop.it!

Cancer-fighting immune cells could soon be engineered inside our bodies - Nature

Cancer-fighting immune cells could soon be engineered inside our bodies - Nature | Genetic Engineering Publications - GEG Tech top picks | Scoop.it
From www.nature.com - May 26, 8:00 PM
BigField GEG Tech's insight:

Manufacturing CAR T cells in the laboratory is expensive and time-consuming. An in vivo approach could get the powerful therapy to more people.

more...
No comment yet.
Sign up to comment
Scooped by BigField GEG Tech
May 27, 6:56 AM
Scoop.it!

EchoBack CAR T-cells could be a game changer in cancer immunotherapy for solid tumors

EchoBack CAR T-cells could be a game changer in cancer immunotherapy for solid tumors | Genetic Engineering Publications - GEG Tech top picks | Scoop.it
From www.news-medical.net - April 2, 10:28 PM
Imagine a super-charged immune cell that can launch a focused attack on stubborn solid tumors - a smart fighter that destroys cancer cells for days without tiring.
BigField GEG Tech's insight:

Researchers have introduced a next-generation CAR T-cell therapy, called EchoBack CAR T-cells, in a study published in Cell. Designed to address key limitations of current immunotherapies for solid tumors, including off-tumor toxicity, T-cell exhaustion, and limited persistence, this platform uses sonogenetic engineering to remotely activate CAR T-cells via focused ultrasound (FUS). It employs an ultrasensitive heat-shock promoter, selected from a screened library and integrated with a positive feedback loop from CAR signaling. This setup enables sustained CAR expression after ultrasound stimulation, maintaining antitumor activity for up to five days, versus less than 24 hours for standard CAR T-cells. In preclinical models, EchoBack CAR T-cells eliminated glioblastoma (GBM) cells in 3D cultures and mice, outperforming conventional CAR T-cells. Single-cell RNA sequencing showed enhanced cytotoxicity and reduced exhaustion. The system was also adapted to target prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA), showing prolonged tumor control in prostate cancer models. EchoBack CAR T-cells represent a versatile, precise, and safer therapeutic approach, a major advance for treating hard-to-target solid tumors. 

more...
No comment yet.
Sign up to comment
Scooped by BigField GEG Tech
May 20, 5:05 AM
Scoop.it!

Powerful CRISPR system inserts whole gene into human DNA - Nature

Powerful CRISPR system inserts whole gene into human DNA - Nature | Genetic Engineering Publications - GEG Tech top picks | Scoop.it
From www.nature.com - May 14, 8:00 PM

‘Directed’ evolution in the laboratory creates an editing tool that outperforms classic CRISPR systems.

BigField GEG Tech's insight:

An innovative genome-editing tool promises to do what original CRISPR systems have struggled to achieve: insert entire genes, precisely and efficiently, into human DNA.‘

Described recently in Science, the method could pave the way for gene-correction therapies that would be given once, and work regardless of the specific mutation causing an individual’s disease. It could also accelerate the development of engineered cell therapies for cancer and simplify the creation of genetic models for research.

“It could really be a big part of the future,” says study co-author David Liu, a chemical biologist at the Broad Institute in Cambridge, Massachusetts

more...
No comment yet.
Sign up to comment
Scooped by BigField GEG Tech
May 16, 6:25 AM
Scoop.it!

Patient-Specific In Vivo Gene Editing to Treat a Rare Genetic Disease | New England Journal of Medicine

Patient-Specific In Vivo Gene Editing to Treat a Rare Genetic Disease | New England Journal of Medicine | Genetic Engineering Publications - GEG Tech top picks | Scoop.it
From www.nejm.org - May 16, 6:25 AM
diagnosis of severe carbamoyl-phosphate synthetase 1 deficiency
BigField GEG Tech's insight:

World’s First Patient Treated with Personalized base editing system !

 

This proof of principle paves the way for precision gene therapy administered directly in vivo. In addition to having a significant therapeutic effect, this trial will allow the collection of critical data for designing tomorrow's precision gene therapies, both in terms of efficacy and biosafety. We know that the liver, a target organ in this pathology, is a prime target for in vivo gene therapy because after systemic injection, vectors accumulate there without a specific targeting system and liver cells multiply rapidly, allowing rapid colonization of cured cells. Consequently, these results support the idea that the field of vectorology is key to harnessing the power of new genome editors such as base editing systems, prime editing systems. The design of vectors that can target the desired cell populations, without compromising efficacy and biosafety, is the next critical step to enable precision gene therapy for a large number of genetic pathologies.

more...
No comment yet.
Sign up to comment
Scooped by BigField GEG Tech
April 24, 11:43 AM
Scoop.it!

Transforming genetic deafness treatment with base editing

Transforming genetic deafness treatment with base editing | Genetic Engineering Publications - GEG Tech top picks | Scoop.it
From www.news-medical.net - March 27, 9:35 AM
Congenital hearing loss refers to impaired auditory function that occurs due to genetic causes. GJB2 is the gene responsible for approximately half of all cases of hereditary hearing loss.
BigField GEG Tech's insight:

Congenital deafness is an impairment of hearing function due to genetic causes. The GJB2 gene, which codes for connexin 26 (CX26), is responsible for around half of all cases of hereditary deafness. GJB2 mutations often lead to fragmentation of gap junctions and gap junction plaques (GJPs) which are composed of CX26. Japanese researchers have successfully developed a gene therapy to repair the R75W mutation, a dominant-negative mutation in the GJB2 gene responsible for syndromic deafness. The researchers developed an AAV (AAV-Sia6e) capable of delivering genome-editing tools to a wide range of cells in the inner ear that form communicating junctions. The researchers therefore constructed a basic editing tool (SaCas9-NNG-ABE8e) miniaturised to a size allowing it to be transported by the AAV using SaCas9-NNG. Genomic editing via the all-in-one AAV vector showed considerable efficiency and specificity. It enabled targeted conversion of T to C in human cells expressing the GJB2 R75W mutation, repaired this mutation and formed clear GJPs. 

more...
No comment yet.
Sign up to comment
Scooped by BigField GEG Tech
April 3, 7:10 AM
Scoop.it!

Multiomic profiling of T cell lymphoma after therapy with anti-BCMA CAR T cells and GPRC5D-directed bispecific antibody | Nature Medicine

Multiomic profiling of T cell lymphoma after therapy with anti-BCMA CAR T cells and GPRC5D-directed bispecific antibody | Nature Medicine | Genetic Engineering Publications - GEG Tech top picks | Scoop.it
From www.nature.com - February 20, 7:00 PM

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells and bispecific T cell engagers have become integral components in the treatment of relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. We report a 63-year-old male who received ciltacabtagene autoleucel CAR T cells and the GPRC5D × CD3 bispecific talquetamab for early relapse of his multiple myeloma. Nine months after CAR T therapy, he developed a symptomatic leukemic peripheral T cell lymphoma with cutaneous and intestinal involvement. Longitudinal single-cell RNA and T cell receptor sequencing of peripheral blood and bone marrow revealed two hyperexpanded CAR-carrying T cell clones. These expanded clones exhibited an exhausted effector-memory T cell transcriptional signature, and the neoplasm itself was sensitive to dexamethasone treatment. The immunophenotypic and transcriptional alterations of these abnormal T cells resembled those of T-large granular lymphocytic leukemia. Spatial transcriptomes of skin lesions confirmed the aberrant CAR-expressing T cells. Whole-genome sequencing revealed three distinct integration sites, within the introns of ZGPAT, KPNA4 and polycomb-associated noncoding RNAs. Before and after CAR T whole-genome analyses implicated clonal outgrowth of a TET2-mutated precursor propelled by additional subclone-specific loss of heterozygosity and other secondary mechanisms. This case highlights the evolution of a CAR-carrying peripheral T cell lymphoma following CAR T cell and bispecific T cell engager therapy, offering critical insights into the clonal evolution from a predisposed hematopoietic precursor to a mature neoplasm. A longitudinal multiomics analysis of a patient with multiple myeloma who developed peripheral T cell lymphoma after treatment with anti-BCMA CAR T cells and a GPRC5D-directed bispecific antibody reveals that two mutated CAR+CD8+ T cell clones were probably drivers of the neoplasm.

BigField GEG Tech's insight:

 

CAR-T cell therapy has revolutionized cancer treatment by engineering a patient’s immune cells to target and destroy malignant cells using a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR). However, emerging evidence suggests potential risks associated with this approach. A recent case study describes a 63-year-old patient with multiple myeloma who developed T-cell lymphoma nine months after receiving CAR-T cell therapy. Genetic analyses revealed that the lymphoma originated from the infused CAR-T cells, with pre-existing mutations in the patient's hematopoietic cells contributing to malignant transformation. This case highlights the need for rigorous genetic screening before CAR-T therapy and long-term monitoring to detect rare but serious complications. While CAR-T therapy remains a breakthrough in oncology, this finding underscores the importance of ongoing safety evaluations

more...
No comment yet.
Sign up to comment
Scooped by BigField GEG Tech
March 25, 3:22 AM
Scoop.it!

Trisomic rescue via allele-specific multiple chromosome cleavage using CRISPR-Cas9 in trisomy 21 cells | PNAS Nexus | Oxford Academic

Trisomic rescue via allele-specific multiple chromosome cleavage using CRISPR-Cas9 in trisomy 21 cells | PNAS Nexus | Oxford Academic | Genetic Engineering Publications - GEG Tech top picks | Scoop.it
From academic.oup.com - February 17, 7:00 PM
Abstract. Human trisomy 21, responsible for Down syndrome, is the most prevalent genetic cause of cognitive impairment and remains a key focus for prenatal
BigField GEG Tech's insight:

The present study demonstrates that allele-specific multiple chromosome cleavage by clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats Cas9 can achieve trisomy rescue by eliminating the target chromosome from human trisomy 21 induced pluripotent stem cells and fibroblasts.

more...
No comment yet.
Sign up to comment
Scooped by BigField GEG Tech
March 10, 7:11 AM
Scoop.it!

Advancing the genetic engineering toolbox by combining AsCas12a knock-in mice with ultra-compact screening | Nature Communications

Advancing the genetic engineering toolbox by combining AsCas12a knock-in mice with ultra-compact screening | Nature Communications | Genetic Engineering Publications - GEG Tech top picks | Scoop.it
From www.nature.com - January 29, 7:00 PM
Cas12a is a next-generation gene editing tool that enables multiplexed gene targeting. Here, we present a mouse model that constitutively expresses enhanced Acidaminococcus sp. Cas12a (enAsCas12a) linked to an mCherry fluorescent reporter. We demonstrate efficient single and multiplexed gene editing in vitro, using primary and transformed cells from enAsCas12a mice. We further demonstrate successful in vivo gene editing, using normal and cancer-prone enAsCas12a stem cells to reconstitute the haematopoietic system of wild-type mice. We also present compact, genome-wide Cas12a knockout libraries, with four crRNAs per gene encoded across one (Scherzo) or two (Menuetto) vectors, and demonstrate the utility of these libraries across methodologies: in vitro enrichment and drop-out screening in lymphoma cells and immortalised fibroblasts, respectively, and in vivo screens to identify lymphoma-driving events. Finally, we demonstrate CRISPR multiplexing via simultaneous gene knockout (via Cas12a) and activation (via dCas9-SAM) using primary T cells and fibroblasts. Our enAsCas12a mouse and accompanying crRNA libraries enhance genome engineering capabilities and complement current CRISPR technologies. Cas12a represents the next generation of gene editing. Here, the authors present the generation and validation of a Cas12a transgenic mouse model. Additionally, the authors create whole-genome Cas12a knockout libraries, and demonstrate their utility across multiple in vitro and in vivo screens.
BigField GEG Tech's insight:

Cas enzymes are needed to cut specific sections of DNA or RNA in experiments using the CRISPR tool. CRISPR is a revolutionary gene-editing tool widely used in cancer research and is currently in the early stages of clinical application in patients. Over the past decade, the Cas enzyme most commonly used with CRISPR, Cas9, has led to many important discoveries in medical research. Today, cancer researchers have developed a next-generation gene-editing tool for modelling and interrogating human disease. These researchers have generated a new preclinical model expressing an improved version of a new genome-engineering enzyme called Cas12a. They also identified the genes that led to accelerated lymphoma growth in the preclinical model using unique CRISPR ‘libraries’ of Cas12a-compatible whole mouse genomes.

more...
No comment yet.
Sign up to comment
Scooped by BigField GEG Tech
February 20, 12:00 PM
Scoop.it!

New findings could make off-the-shelf CAR T cell therapy a reality

New findings could make off-the-shelf CAR T cell therapy a reality | Genetic Engineering Publications - GEG Tech top picks | Scoop.it
From www.news-medical.net - January 31, 1:20 PM
CAR T cell therapy is one of the most promising new cancer treatments to emerge in recent years. It involves removing a patient's own immune T cells and engineering them to recognize specific targets on the surface of the cancer cell.
BigField GEG Tech's insight:

One of the main limitations of CAR-T cells is that the cells are taken from the patient and have to be customized for treatment. This forces patients to wait for their cells to be modified for infusion, which is precious time they may not have. Research has demonstrated a new advance that could allow standard CAR T cells supplied by healthy donors to be used and stored to be ready as soon as the patient needs them. The research has identified a way of modifying donor CAR T cells, known as allogeneic CAR T cells, so that they are accepted by the patient who receives them and persists to fight cancer. The new approach involves equipping CAR T cells with a protein called Nef. This protein has been identified in HIV and is used to evade detection by the immune system. It acts in two ways: it reduces a protein called HLA-I on the surface of CAR-T cells and helps prevent cell suicide called apoptosis in CAR-T cells. The researchers showed that inserting Nef into donor CAR-T cells enabled the cells to survive and remain effective in a mouse cancer model. 

more...
No comment yet.
Sign up to comment
Scooped by BigField GEG Tech
January 20, 7:03 AM
Scoop.it!

EZH2 inhibitors enhance effectiveness of cancer immunotherapies

EZH2 inhibitors enhance effectiveness of cancer immunotherapies | Genetic Engineering Publications - GEG Tech top picks | Scoop.it
From www.news-medical.net - December 5, 2024 9:35 PM
An emerging class of anticancer drugs called EZH2 inhibitors may greatly enhance the potency of some cancer immunotherapies, according to a preclinical study led by Weill Cornell Medicine lymphoma researchers.
BigField GEG Tech's insight:

T-cell immunotherapies, including modified anti-cancer T cells called CAR-T cells, have been shown to reduce or eliminate signs of cancer in some patients with lymphomas and other malignant blood tumors. In most cases, however, signs of cancer eventually reappear. A study published in Cancer Cell suggests that inhibiting EZH2 could help improve the potency and durability of these immunotherapies. EZH2 is an enzyme that normally helps program cellular behavior by controlling the expression of specific genes. Mutations in the EZH2 gene, which make the enzyme more active, are now recognized as common features of lymphoma, and inhibition of this enzyme has been shown to benefit lymphoma patients even when they have non-mutant EZH2. In the study, the researchers found that EZH2 inhibition enhanced the effects of immunotherapies not only by making lymphoma cells more visible to them, but also through multiple other mechanisms, including reducing immunosuppressive regulatory T cells and reprogramming anti-cancer T cells in a way that makes their activity more durable.

more...
No comment yet.
Sign up to comment
Scooped by BigField GEG Tech
July 7, 9:12 AM
Scoop.it!

New CRISPR technology delivers RNA precisely to repair damaged brain cells

New CRISPR technology delivers RNA precisely to repair damaged brain cells | Genetic Engineering Publications - GEG Tech top picks | Scoop.it
From www.news-medical.net - May 21, 10:03 PM
When a neuron in our body gets damaged, segments of RNA produce proteins that can help repair the injury.
BigField GEG Tech's insight:

When a neuron is damaged, segments of RNA produce proteins that help repair the lesion. However, in neurological disorders such as ALS and spinal muscular atrophy, or following damage to the spinal cord, the mechanisms for transporting life-sustaining RNA to damaged sites in the cell fail. As a result, RNA molecules are unable to reach their target, and damage becomes permanent. Stanford researchers have developed a technology dubbed CRISPR-TO, to transport RNA to specific areas of a neuron, where it can repair and even regenerate parts of the cell. The researchers used a version of CRISPR, called CRISPR-Cas13, to target individual RNA fragments. The researchers associated Cas13 with specific localization signals that act as addresses, telling Cas13 where to deliver the RNA. Each location in the cell has its own address molecule, so the researchers can direct RNA to different locations by adding different molecules to the cell. Their work, supported by the National Institutes of Health, forms the basis of a new class of therapies which the researchers call “RNA space medicine”, and which they hope will pave the way for the treatment of neurological diseases and trauma.

more...
No comment yet.
Sign up to comment
Scooped by BigField GEG Tech
June 12, 6:29 AM
Scoop.it!

Targeted CAR T-Cell Therapies Show Early Efficacy in Solid Tumors With Focus on Mitigating Toxicity

Targeted CAR T-Cell Therapies Show Early Efficacy in Solid Tumors With Focus on Mitigating Toxicity | Genetic Engineering Publications - GEG Tech top picks | Scoop.it
From www.onclive.com - May 12, 10:00 AM
Renier Brentjens, MD, PhD, discusses the current landscape of CAR T-cell agents in patients with solid tumors.
BigField GEG Tech's insight:

The first CAR T-cell therapy was approved for pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia back in 2017. CAR T-cell therapies are now advancing beyond hematologic malignancies, showing early efficacy in solid tumors. Agents like satricabtagene autoleucel (satri-cel) and ALLO-316 have demonstrated promising activity in gastrointestinal cancer and renal cell carcinoma, respectively. They have received FDA designations such as fast track and regenerative medicine advanced therapy (RMAT). Solid tumors present unique challenges, including antigen heterogeneity, immunosuppressive microenvironments, and fibrotic structures that hinder CAR T-cell infiltration and function. To address these, researchers are exploring combination strategies, such as pairing CAR T-cells with immune checkpoint inhibitors, to enhance efficacy.  These developments suggest a promising future for CAR T-cell therapies in treating solid tumors, with ongoing research focused on improving targeting precision and reducing toxicity. The field is moving toward more effective and safer treatments for patients with solid malignancies.

more...
No comment yet.
Sign up to comment
Scooped by BigField GEG Tech
June 4, 6:46 AM
Scoop.it!

Cancer-fighting CAR T cells show promising results for hard-to-treat tumours - Nature

Cancer-fighting CAR T cells show promising results for hard-to-treat tumours - Nature | Genetic Engineering Publications - GEG Tech top picks | Scoop.it
From www.nature.com - June 1, 8:00 PM
Trial in China is one of the first times the immune therapy has worked against solid tumours.
BigField GEG Tech's insight:

Trial in China is one of the first times the immune therapy has worked against solid tumours.

more...
No comment yet.
Sign up to comment
Scooped by BigField GEG Tech
June 2, 7:13 AM
Scoop.it!

News: Gene editing boosts immunotherapy

News: Gene editing boosts immunotherapy | Genetic Engineering Publications - GEG Tech top picks | Scoop.it
From crisprmedicinenews.com - June 2, 7:13 AM
A new review outlines genetic engineering strategies, including CRISPR, to enhance the therapeutic potential of innate immune cells in cancer immunotherapy. The authors evaluate preclinical studies and emerging clinical data on how these cells can be retooled to overcome the limitations of conventional CAR T cell therapy.
BigField GEG Tech's insight:

Gene editing is redefining the potential of cancer immunotherapy, not only by enhancing precision, but also by extending its reach beyond T cells. A recent Nature Biotechnology review highlights how CRISPR is being used to reprogram innate immune cells, including Natural Killer (NK) cells, macrophages, and γδ T cells, to enhance their tumor-fighting abilities. By knocking out inhibitory genes, NK cells become more resilient, metabolically robust, and cytotoxic. Macrophages, typically immunosuppressive within the tumor microenvironment, are now being engineered with CARs and cytokines to adopt proinflammatory, anti-tumor roles. γδ T cells, which combine innate and adaptive immune features, are also being explored for CAR-based therapies thanks to their stress-sensing T-cell receptors and natural cytotoxicity. Early trials across multiple tumor types suggest these engineered cells could drive a new wave of more effective and versatile cancer immunotherapies.

more...
No comment yet.
Sign up to comment
Scooped by BigField GEG Tech
May 21, 10:22 AM
Scoop.it!

A new class of molecules against cancer cells refractory to standard treatments

A new class of molecules against cancer cells refractory to standard treatments | Genetic Engineering Publications - GEG Tech top picks | Scoop.it
From presse.inserm.fr - May 7, 11:00 AM
e
BigField GEG Tech's insight:

A new class of molecules capable of killing the cancer cells that are refractory to standard treatments and responsible for recurrence has just been developed by scientists at Institut Curie, the CNRS, and Inserm. This crucial advance in the fight against metastatic cancer is based on identifying the cellular site for ferroptosis initiation, a natural process, catalysed by iron, that sparks the oxidative degradation of cell membranes. These promising preclinical results will be published in the journal Nature on 7 May 2025.

more...
No comment yet.
Sign up to comment
Scooped by BigField GEG Tech
May 19, 11:55 AM
Scoop.it!

Machine learning unlocks millions of safer CRISPR enzymes for gene editing

Machine learning unlocks millions of safer CRISPR enzymes for gene editing | Genetic Engineering Publications - GEG Tech top picks | Scoop.it
From www.news-medical.net - April 22, 9:24 PM
Genome editing has advanced at a rapid pace with promising results for treating genetic conditions-but there is always room for improvement.
BigField GEG Tech's insight:

One of the key elements in the use of CRISPR-Cas9 technologies lies in the need for enzymes to locate and bind to a short DNA sequence called the adjacent proto-spacer motif (PAM). The researchers used a machine-learning algorithm, called PAMmla, to predict the PAMs of millions of Cas9 enzymes, thereby identifying a set of novel Cas9 enzymes designed to exhibit the best targeted activity and specificity. The researchers conducted proof-of-concept experiments on human cells and a mouse model of retinitis pigmentosa, and found that the tailored enzymes exhibited greater specificity. This work could help reduce off-target effects, improve the safety and efficacy of editing, and enable researchers to predict customized enzymes for new therapeutic targets.

more...
No comment yet.
Sign up to comment
Scooped by BigField GEG Tech
May 5, 9:01 AM
Scoop.it!

Powerful protein editors offer new ways of probing living cells - Nature

Powerful protein editors offer new ways of probing living cells - Nature | Genetic Engineering Publications - GEG Tech top picks | Scoop.it
From www.nature.com - April 30, 8:00 PM

Scientists deploy self-splicing protein subunits to insert strange new additions into target proteins.

BigField GEG Tech's insight:

Scientists deploy self-splicing protein subunits to insert strange new additions into target proteins.

more...
No comment yet.
Sign up to comment
Scooped by BigField GEG Tech
April 11, 5:57 AM
Scoop.it!

Brain cells given an ‘invisibility cloak’ fix Parkinson’s symptoms in rats - Nature

Brain cells given an ‘invisibility cloak’ fix Parkinson’s symptoms in rats - Nature | Genetic Engineering Publications - GEG Tech top picks | Scoop.it
From www.nature.com - April 11, 5:57 AM
Neurons engineered to evade the immune system could work as cell-replacement therapy.
BigField GEG Tech's insight:
Neurons engineered to evade the immune system could work as cell-replacement therapy.
more...
No comment yet.
Sign up to comment
Scooped by BigField GEG Tech
April 2, 11:20 AM
Scoop.it!

Cancer-free for 18 years: CAR-T therapy sets new milestone in neuroblastoma treatment

Cancer-free for 18 years: CAR-T therapy sets new milestone in neuroblastoma treatment | Genetic Engineering Publications - GEG Tech top picks | Scoop.it
From www.news-medical.net - February 17, 11:15 PM
A groundbreaking study in Nature Medicine reveals that GD2 CAR-T cell therapy can lead to long-term remission in children with neuroblastoma, with one patient remaining cancer-free for over 18 years.
BigField GEG Tech's insight:

Neuroblastoma, a highly aggressive childhood cancer, presents a high risk of relapse, making long-term disease control a significant challenge. A groundbreaking study published in Nature Medicine has demonstrated that GD2-directed CAR-T cell therapy can induce durable remissions, with one patient remaining cancer-free for over 18 years, the longest reported remission for a solid tumor treated with CAR-T cells. Between 2004 and 2009, 19 children were infused with CAR-T cells targeting GD2, a protein expressed in neuroblastoma cells, as part of a phase I clinical trial. Despite lacking modern co-stimulatory molecules, these first-generation CAR-T cells persisted for over five years in some patients. Among patients with active disease, 3 achieved complete responses, with 2 maintaining long-term remissions of 8+ and 18+ years, respectively. Immune profiling of long-term survivors revealed that CAR-T cells exhibited a mix of effector and memory-like properties, suggesting a key role in extended therapeutic effects. This study indicates the safety and durability of GD2 CAR-T therapy in neuroblastoma and paves the way for improved CAR-T strategies targeting solid tumors.

more...
No comment yet.
Sign up to comment
Scooped by BigField GEG Tech
March 19, 7:00 AM
Scoop.it!

Strong, flexible ‘nylon’ made by engineered bacteria for the first time - Nature

Strong, flexible ‘nylon’ made by engineered bacteria for the first time - Nature | Genetic Engineering Publications - GEG Tech top picks | Scoop.it
From www.nature.com - March 16, 8:00 PM
The bioplastic was malleable, but is more expensive to produce than are plastics made from fossil fuels.
BigField GEG Tech's insight:

Researchers have genetically engineered microbes to produce a strong, flexible plastic similar to nylon for the first time.

Bacteria have been used to generate polyesters such as polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) in the past but, nylon-like plastics such as those used in clothing and shoe manufacturing have been difficult to create, the authors report in Nature Chemical Biology 

more...
No comment yet.
Sign up to comment
Scooped by BigField GEG Tech
March 4, 6:42 AM
Scoop.it!

An ancient RNA-guided system could simplify delivery of gene editing therapies | Broad Institute

An ancient RNA-guided system could simplify delivery of gene editing therapies | Broad Institute | Genetic Engineering Publications - GEG Tech top picks | Scoop.it
From www.broadinstitute.org - February 27, 10:21 AM
The programmable proteins are compact, modular, and can be directed to modify DNA in human cells.
BigField GEG Tech's insight:

A vast search of natural diversity has led scientists at MIT’s McGovern Institute and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard to uncover ancient systems with the potential to expand the genome editing toolbox. 

more...
No comment yet.
Sign up to comment
Scooped by BigField GEG Tech
February 10, 5:50 AM
Scoop.it!

Functional characterization of variants improves cancer risk assessment and treatment

Functional characterization of variants improves cancer risk assessment and treatment | Genetic Engineering Publications - GEG Tech top picks | Scoop.it
From www.news-medical.net - January 9, 2:25 AM
Findings from a multi-institutional, international study led by researchers from the Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center have significantly advanced the understanding of genetic alterations in the BRCA2 gene, a key player in hereditary cancer risk.
BigField GEG Tech's insight:

The results of an international multi-institutional study have significantly improved our understanding of genetic alterations in the BRCA2 gene, a key player in hereditary cancer risk. Researchers have carried out a comprehensive functional assessment of all possible variants in the crucial DNA-binding domain of the BRCA2 gene, resulting in the clinical classification of 91% of variants of uncertain significance (VUS) in this part of the gene. This discovery significantly improves the accuracy of genetic testing, and will enable healthcare professionals to offer more accurate risk assessments and personalized treatment plans for people carrying these variants. The study, published in Nature , used CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technology to analyze the functional impact of nearly 7,000 BRCA2 gene variants, definitively identifying those that increase cancer risk and those that do not. This new information will remove much of the uncertainty surrounding VUS, enabling more informed decisions to be made about cancer screening, preventative measures and treatment strategies. 

more...
No comment yet.
Sign up to comment
About Follow us Resources Terms Mobile Features
Facebook
X
LinkedIn