Gene therapy has emerged as a transformative approach in modern medicine, offering a potential cure for a wide array of genetic disorders. By introducing, modifying, or repairing genetic material within a patient’s cells, gene therapy aims to rectify underlying genetic defects, thereby treating or preventing disease. The field has witnessed significant milestones, with several gene…
Researchers in Switzerland have made a significant breakthrough in cancer treatment by developing a hybrid approach that combines ultrahigh-dose-rate (UHDR) electron beams with conventional dose-rate (CDR) photon beams. This innovative technique, known as FLASH radiotherapy, has the potential to spare healthy tissues while effectively targeting malignant tumour cells. The study, published in Radiotherapy and Oncology,…
Cystic fibrosis is a debilitating genetic disorder that affects nearly 40,000 children and adults in the US. Recent advancements in biotechnology have led to the development of innovative treatments, including gene therapies and CFTR modulators. Companies like Enterprise Therapeutics, Krystal Biotech, Recode Therapeutics, Sionna Therapeutics, and Vertex Pharmaceuticals are at the forefront of this research,…
Researchers in South Africa have updated the country’s health-research ethics guidelines to include a new section on heritable human genome editing, a technique that involves introducing genetic changes to sperm, eggs, or embryos, which will be passed down through successive generations. This move has sparked concerns globally, as it could put South Africa one step…
Researchers at the University of Florence have made a groundbreaking discovery at Pompeii, Italy, by analyzing DNA from human bone fragments recovered from plaster casts of people who died during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. The genetic data revealed details about the sex, ancestry, and family ties of five individuals, challenging old…
Researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery about the world’s oldest tree, Pando, a quaking aspen in Utah. By analyzing DNA samples from the tree, they have determined its age to be between 16,000 and 80,000 years old. The study has also revealed clues about the tree’s evolutionary history and its ability to adapt and evolve…
A study in fruit flies has found that ibuprofen, a common over-the-counter pain reliever, may be a treatment for a rare genetic disease called MAN1B1-congenital disorder of glycosylation. The disease causes developmental delays, obesity, aggression, and distinctive facial features in children who inherit two faulty copies of the MAN1B1 gene. Preliminary results from a small…
Researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have made a groundbreaking discovery in the field of optical trapping. They have developed a miniature, chip-based optical trap that can capture and manipulate particles, including cells, at a distance of up to 5 millimeters from the chip surface. This innovation has the potential to revolutionize biological…
A team of researchers has made a groundbreaking discovery that could revolutionize potato farming. By understanding the genetic mechanism that controls nitrogen management in potatoes, scientists may be able to develop varieties that require less fertilizer, saving farmers money and reducing the environmental impact of potato cultivation. Forecast for 6 months: Within the next six…
