Gene Editing

The latest on gene-editing, from tasty GMOs to debates over designer babies.

Latest in Gene Editing

This fluorescence image shows chloroplasts (magenta colored) successfully incorporated into the hamster cells, with other features of the animal cell also highlighted (nuclei in light blue and organelles in yellow-green).

Bioengineers made mutant, solar-powered hamster cells Bioengineers made mutant, solar-powered hamster cells

a fruit fly intestine. it is a long and narrow coiled tube with green coloration from dye

Swapping genes can help fruit flies regenerate cells Swapping genes can help fruit flies regenerate cells

By Laura Baisas

a tardigrade. these microscopic animals have right legs and round bear-like bodies with a small pointy appendage in front.

Tardigrade genes edited with an advanced CRISPR technique Tardigrade genes edited with an advanced CRISPR technique

By Laura Baisas

surgeons in an operating room

Surgeons complete first-ever gene-edited pig kidney transplant Surgeons complete first-ever gene-edited pig kidney transplant

By Mack DeGeurin

Pigs in sty at factory farm

Gene-edited pigs immune to deadly virus could arrive on farms by next year Gene-edited pigs immune to deadly virus could arrive on farms by next year

Just cutting DNA to bits isn’t a big deal. The special trick that CRISPR systems add is to make those cuts only in precise, targeted spots.

What’s going on with CRISPR gene editing? What’s going on with CRISPR gene editing?

By Amber Dance/Knowable Magazine

A researcher handles a petri dish while observing a CRISPR/Cas9 process through a stereomicroscope at the Max-Delbrueck-Centre for Molecular Medicine.

FDA approves the first gene-editing treatment in the US FDA approves the first gene-editing treatment in the US

By Laura Baisas

colorful dna strands; illustration

Can our eyes ever fix themselves? Can our eyes ever fix themselves?

By Aparna Nathan

A researcher handles a petri dish while observing a CRISPR/Cas9 process through a stereomicroscope at the Max-Delbrueck-Centre for Molecular Medicine.

The UK becomes the first country to approve CRISPR treatment The UK becomes the first country to approve CRISPR treatment

By Laura Baisas

Bacteriophage destroying antibiotic-resistant bacteria during phage therapy. Illustration.

Viruses could be an unlikely ally in battling antibiotic-resistant bacteria Viruses could be an unlikely ally in battling antibiotic-resistant bacteria

By Jessica Craig

Spider silk stronger than Kevlar spun by an unlikely source

Spider silk stronger than Kevlar spun by an unlikely source Spider silk stronger than Kevlar spun by an unlikely source

A Cryo-EM map of a Fanzor protein indicated by gray, yellow, light blue, and pink in complex with ωRNA indicated in purple and its target DNA in red. Non-target DNA strand in blue.

These organisms have a natural gene-editing system that could be more useful than CRISPR These organisms have a natural gene-editing system that could be more useful than CRISPR

By Laura Baisas

It’s easier than ever to make DNA from scratch—but what are the risks?

It’s easier than ever to make DNA from scratch—but what are the risks? It’s easier than ever to make DNA from scratch—but what are the risks?

By Michael Schulson/Undark

A genetics startup wants to bring the Tasmanian tiger back from extinction

A genetics startup wants to bring the Tasmanian tiger back from extinction A genetics startup wants to bring the Tasmanian tiger back from extinction

By Laura Baisas

a close up of a face mite poking out of a skin pore

The mites that breed on our faces are getting clingier by the day The mites that breed on our faces are getting clingier by the day

By Lauren J. Young

An aedes aegypti mosquito.

The first US trial to release GMO mosquitoes just ended. Here’s how it went. The first US trial to release GMO mosquitoes just ended. Here’s how it went.

two red cells attack a white cell, the cells have been pseudo-colored

A ‘living’ cancer drug helped two patients stay disease-free for a decade A ‘living’ cancer drug helped two patients stay disease-free for a decade

By Kate Baggaley

Female adult deer tick or black-legged tick positions on a pink flower petal

Biologists successfully hatched gene-edited ticks for the first time Biologists successfully hatched gene-edited ticks for the first time

Farmer picking potatoes.

Is it ok to eat GMO foods? Scientists say ‘yes.’ Is it ok to eat GMO foods? Scientists say ‘yes.’

By Charlotte Hu

Rendering of mammoth in forest.

This CRISPR startup thinks that mammoths can save the Arctic. Is it right? This CRISPR startup thinks that mammoths can save the Arctic. Is it right?

By Charlotte Hu