• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
TechEngage

TechEngage

Technology news and opinions

  • Tech News
  • Reviews
  • How-to
  • Roundups
  • Science
    • Energy
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Space
  • Apps
  • More
    • Opinion
    • Noteworthy
    • Culture
    • Blockchain
      • Cryptocurrency
    • Events
    • Deals
    • Startups
      • Startup Submissions
  • Videos
  • Login
Health Care

Salk Institute discovered an RNA editing tool

Avatar for Amnah Fawad Amnah Fawad September 21, 2018

CRISPR-Cas9
CRISPR-Cas9, what next?

CRISPR-Cas9 technology has kept the genetic researchers at the edge of their seats from quite a long time. However, its limitation of only being able to edit DNA was something, not all the researchers would happily accept.
Brace yourselves as we have a great news for you straight from the Salk Institute. The researchers at Salk Institute, after thoroughly studying the molecular structure of CRISPR-Cas13b, have stated in their journal about its usefulness in RNA editing technology. They visualized the complex structure of the CRISPR-Cas13b enzyme using cryo-electron microscopy.

CRISPR-Cas13b
Courtesy: Salk Institute

As stated in Salk news, Dmitry Lyumkis, an Assistant Professor at Salk, talking about the journal, said:
”It adds to the breadth of tools that are needed for conducting this kind of crucial biomedical research.”
CRISPR-Cas9 acts like molecular scissors helping scientists to snip away the DNA from wherever required. Understanding how consistently our genes act, we are well aware of the fact that the message on our DNA is constant which we have been trying to manipulate using CRISPR-Cas9, right?
We also know that it is inherently the messenger RNA that is further translated into proteins that perform all the fundamental functions in our body. Now this means that messenger RNA copies information from the DNA and those messages then decide which protein is to be formed. Different messages code for different proteins (Remember one gene/one protein theory?). Having established that we now come to a conclusion that these messages on the RNA are changing.
About that, Hanna Gray, one of the journal’s authors, says:
“Being able to modulate those messages by directly controlling the RNA has important implications for influencing a cell’s fate.”
This is the reason why for fully exploiting the genetic manipulation, tools that edit RNA can make a huge difference.
The authors further explained:
“In our previous paper, we discovered a new CRISPR family that can be used to engineer RNA directly inside of human cells. Now that we’ve been able to visualize the structure of Cas13d, we can see in more detail how the enzyme is guided to the RNA and how it is able to cut the RNA. These insights are allowing us to improve the system and make the process more effective, paving the way for new strategies to treat RNA-based diseases.”
-Hsu (one of the corresponding authors)
This exciting new enzyme has opened up avenues in the field of genetic engineering and a more rigorous research on it is already in the pipeline.
For more insight, read the complete journal at the Cell.
Let us know what you think in the comments section below!

Related Tags: CRISPR Technology

Related Stories

  • Is the new “ketamine nasal spray” for depression worth the headline hype?

    Is the new “ketamine nasal spray” for depression worth the headline hype?

  • Chinese scientist behind genetically edited babies is under house arrest

    Chinese scientist behind genetically edited babies is under house arrest

  • Elon Musk claims “something bogus is going on” after he tested positive and then negative for COVID-19

    Elon Musk claims “something bogus is going on” after he tested positive and then negative for COVID-19

Avatar for Amnah Fawad

Amnah Fawad

Editor

Content writer by profession, but a scientist at heart who secretly believes the conspiracy theories about AI taking over the world. Tech-savvy, sucker of sci-fi thrillers who loves to travel.

Reader Interactions

Join The Discussion: Cancel reply

Please read our comment policy before submitting your comment. Your email address will not be used or publish anywhere. You will only receive comment notifications if you opt to subscribe below.

Primary Sidebar

Become a contributor

We are accepting contributor applications. All applications will be decided in 3 days after applying. To learn more click here.
TechEngage-Apple-News
TechEngage-Google-News

Recent Stories

  • Best games to play in 2021
  • Best Apple MacBook Pro Alternatives on Amazon for 2021
  • Best chair covers on Amazon for 2021
  • Best Webcams for PC and laptop on Amazon for 2021
  • How to use an external Graphics Card with a Mac for gaming
Dishwasher on Amazon

Top-rated best dishwashers on Amazon for 2021

Image of a gaming Keyboard

Best gaming keyboards on Amazon in 2021

iPhone 11 in RED

Common smartphone issues and their respective solutions

Easy ways to clean earbuds and headphones

Easy ways to clean earbuds and headphones

Footer

Discover

  • About us
  • Newsroom
  • Staff
  • Advertise
  • Send us a tip
  • Startup Submission Questionnaire
  • Brand Kit
  • Contact us

Legal pages

  • Reviews Guarantee
  • Community Guidelines
  • Corrections Policy and Practice
  • Cookies Policy
  • Our Ethics
  • Disclaimer
  • GDPR Compliance
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions

Must reads

  • Best AirPods alternatives on Amazon
  • Best PC monitors for gaming on Amazon
  • Best family board games
  • Best Graphics Cards (GPUs) for gaming
  • Best video doorbells without subscription
  • Best handheld video game consoles
  • Best all-season tires for snow
  • Best mobile Wi-Fi hotspots
  • Best treadmills on Amazon
  • Best AM radios for long-distance reception

Download our apps

TechEngage-app-google-play-store

Copyright © 2021 · All Rights Reserved · TechEngage® is a Project of TechAbout LLC.
TechEngage® is a registered trademark in United Kingdom under Trademark Number UK00003417167 and is ISSN protected under the ISSN 2690-3776 and OCLC Number 1139335774.

Go to mobile version