Latest News

Searching for the Mexican Genetic Map

Aiming to expand the genetic information of the Mexican population, Tec de Monterrey and the global company Regeneron Genetics Center entered into a collaboration agreement to work on the megaproject called oriGen, where samples will be collected from 10,000 Mexican individuals to carry out an analysis of the genetic characteristics for this population. According to those involved, the research looks to fill the still-existing knowledge gaps in genetic information; this will benefit humanity in both the short and long term, in addition to improving patient care through a genomic approach.

Source: enfarma.lat

Japanese Scientists Create Drug That Regenerates Teeth That Have Fallen Out

The drug has been successfully used in animal trials and will now be tested in humans.

A Japanese research team aims to revolutionize the world of dentistry by developing a drug that allows people to grow new teeth. To this end, they have developed a pioneering drug that has been highly successful in animals; by July 2024, it will advance to the human trials phase. It would be the beginning of the world’s first dental regeneration medicine. The team plans to have it ready for general use by 2030.

Source: ABC Ciencia

Gene-editing therapy that eliminates HIV in mice, now in monkeys

For the first time, researchers from Temple University and Bebrakase University who managed to eliminate the human immudeficiency virus in mice will test their successful approach combining antiretroviral therapy with CRISPR genome editing in primates. Although this approach will be limited to implementation in mice and now primates, the project could lay the groundwork for curing HIV in humans. In addition, the researchers in charge of the study mentioned that this approach is “simple and relatively inexpensive.”

Source: Temple Health

The Drug That Promises Effortless Muscle-Building

The so-called SLU-PP-332, developed by the University of Florida and St. Louis, is a drug designed to deceive the body; its objective is to make the muscles believe that they are exercising, which generates in the body the typical natural response to exercise with all the benefits that it generates, such as increased energy expenditure and a faster metabolization of fat.

The treatment is still under development and has not caused any serious side effects. The next step in its development as a drug candidate will be to improve its structure, ideally by making it available as a tablet rather than an injection. The drug would be tested for side effects in more animal models before leaping human trials.

Source: ABC

New ways to stop Alzheimer’s

A team of scientists has genetically modified the brains of mice to discover that the MEG3 gene induces neuronal destruction. The study involved introducing 100,000 human neurons into the rodents’ brains to simulate dementia. They observed how neurons die and managed to remedy this neuronal death with two oral drugs already used against leukemia and melanoma.

Although there are still no drugs that cure or help alleviate the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, this study shows a promising path in terms of preserving neuronal cells.

Source: infobae.com

Genome editing to successfully transplant pig kidney into a human

Scientists at New York University Langone Health Hospital have successfully performed a pig kidney transplant on a 57-yearold brain-dead patient, achieving the most tremendous adaptability success in the history of xenotransplantation. The process involved genetic modification of the porcine organ to prevent the recipient’s immune system from rejecting the new organ. Four pig genes incompatible with the human body were suppressed, and another six human genes were added, producing urine and purifying creatinine.

Although the research is in the experimental stage, this advance in xenotransplantation represents a potential alternative for treating end-stage renal failure, as well as the study of transplants of other organs.

Source: National Geographic

Presentation of the new Pangenome

The new map, which cost $3 billion, includes the complete genetic sequence of 47 individuals from different backgrounds. The project aims to continue adding data to the ‘map,’ so it is expected that by mid-2024, it will include genetic information from 350 people of diverse ethnic descent. The developers mention that this project will help better understand people’s identity, know which genetic material sequences make us different, and learn aspects of our evolution and the genetic diseases that affect us.

Source: El mundo, Ciencia y Salud

UK Approves Innovative Gene Therapy

The UK’s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has approved CASGEVY, the world’s first CRISPR gene-editing therapy. CASGEVY, developed by Vertex Pharmaceuticals and CRISPR Therapeutics, aims to cure sickle cell anemia and transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia, which are genetic blood disorders. Casgevy is the first licensed drug to use the innovative gene-editing tool CRISPR, for which its inventors received the Nobel Prize in 2020. The FDA is expected to follow in the UK’s footsteps later.

Source: Cell & Gene Therapy News

DNA origami nanocages to treat tumors

Chinese researchers have developed DNA origami nanocages that release CRISPRCas9 only in the presence of specific tumor markers such as ATP or miRNA-21. This method ensures targeted gene editing directly within tumor cells, significantly reducing their growth. This innovative approach offers a precise and effective way to apply CRISPR to treat tumors, demonstrating its success in both living and laboratory models.

Source: CRISPR Medicine News

Researchers discover clues to treat cancer through the dark genome

A study by South Africa and Zambia researchers examined genetic and drug dependencies in human cancers, focusing on the “dark genome.” They found that dark genes have high mutation rates in certain cancers and are crucial to patients’ survival outcomes, similar to light genes. The research highlights the therapeutic potential of targeting the dark genome in cancer treatment by analyzing drug response and CRISPR-mediated gene inactivation.

Source: CRISPR Medicine News