UAB Researchers Use CRISPR Technology to Target Childhood Syndrome
In the last couple of years there’s been a bonanza in life sciences around something called CRISPR. This is a process that bacteria do naturally as a defense mechanism, but scientists have figured out how to use it to snip out specific genes from DNA and replace them. In other words, it makes cheaper and more precise genetic editing possible.
“This kind of CRISPR technology that many people are practicing now is going to change the whole field of medicine,” says Tim Townes, director of the UAB Stem Cell Institute.
Townes led a team that published a paper Thursday in Cell Reports on their use of CRISPR to develop a potential new cure for a troubling condition in children. It’s called severe combined immunodeficiency or SCID. Children born with SCID have no immune response so they can’t fight invading viruses or bacteria. It’s more popularly know as the “bubble boy” syndrome. The only current treatment is a bone marrow transplant. Otherwise SCID is fatal.
Townes received skin cells from a patient who was successfully cured through a bone marrow transplant. His team then changed those cells to stem cells and used the CRISPR technique to change the one DNA base pair that causes SCID. The idea is that those cells would then be converted to blood stem cells and transplanted back into the patient, curing him or her.
“So they would be getting their own cells. But those cells would be corrected,” said Townes.
The Food and Drug Administration hasn’t allowed any studies on people using CRISPR yet, but Townes expects UAB to start clinical trials on the SCID therapy within two years.
While CRISPR has the potential to revolutionize biology, from curing genetic diseases to creating mosquitos that can’t carry malaria, it comes with weighty ethical concerns. Scientists and bioethicists are already warning about unintended consequences from changed genes, particularly if they are passed on to children. Also, CRISPR could theoretically be used to by parents to create “designer babies,” genetically engineered for desirable traits.
Scientists in China prompted an uproar earlier this year when they announced they used CRISPR to alter genes in human embryos.
Townes said they check carefully they only change the base pair targeted. He also says they’re only interested in curing disease.
“Any technology can be used for good or not so good purposes,” said Townes. “We want to develop new technology and it’s up to society as a whole to apply them in the correct way.”
Extra: Radiolab explains CRISPR
What are your unique holiday traditions? NPR wants to know
The holiday season is full of traditions and we all celebrate them a bit differently. NPR wants to your most unique holiday traditions. What makes celebrating this time of year feel special for you?
What are your unique holiday traditions? NPR wants to know
The holiday season is full of traditions and we all celebrate them a bit differently. NPR wants to your most unique holiday traditions. What makes celebrating this time of year feel special for you?
3 culinary tricks that might get you to eat more veggies, according to chef Roy Choi
Chef Roy Choi, known for his Korean-Mexican fusion food trucks, focuses on veggie-forward dishes in a new cookbook. He shares techniques to get you excited about your greens, plus 3 flavorful sauces.
3 culinary tricks that might get you to eat more veggies, according to chef Roy Choi
Chef Roy Choi, known for his Korean-Mexican fusion food trucks, focuses on veggie-forward dishes in a new cookbook. He shares techniques to get you excited about your greens, plus 3 flavorful sauces.
Trade tensions hang over Trump’s Asia trip, but he still aims to make a deal
President Trump plans to attend a summit in Malaysia before meeting the new Japanese prime minister in Tokyo and talking to Chinese President Xi Jinping in Korea.
Blue Jays rout Dodgers 11-4 in World Series opener
Addison Barger launched the first pinch-hit grand slam in World Series history, as the Toronto Blue Jays overwhelmed the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers in the opener Friday night in Toronto.
