Tag

Epigenome Editing

All articles tagged with #epigenome editing

science1 month ago•14 min saved

Editing the Epigenome: Treating Disease by Rewriting Gene Expression, Not the Genome

A new wave of biotechnology focuses on epigenome editing—altering chemical marks that control how genes are turned on or off—to treat or prevent disease later in life without changing the underlying DNA. By mimicking natural resets of epigenetic marks, researchers aim to rewrite the “nurture” of gene activity rather than the “nature” of the genetic code. Early results in cells and animals are promising, but major challenges remain in delivery, specificity, safety, and long-term effects, alongside ethical and regulatory considerations.

via The New York Times|

#crispr #disease-treatment #epigenetics

technology2 months ago•11 min saved

Epigenetic editors tune gene activity without altering the DNA

Researchers are using CRISPR-based epigenome editors to add or remove chemical marks on DNA and histones, enabling precise, multi-site control of gene expression without changing the DNA sequence. This tunable approach can produce temporary or lasting effects and is being explored in basic research, crops, and therapies, with early clinical strides and notable animal data—for example, long-term suppression of PCSK9 in mice and substantial reductions in PCSK9 and LDL in monkeys—alongside companies pursuing hepatitis B therapies and CAR-T enhancements that couple epigenetic editing with gene editing.

via Nature|

#biotechnology #crispr #epigenetics

science-and-technology2 years ago•60 min saved

"Long-lasting Gene Silencing and Cholesterol Control Through One-Time Epigenetic Editing in Mice"

Researchers have developed a hit-and-run epigenome editing strategy for durable and efficient gene silencing in vivo, using ZFP-based engineered transcriptional repressors (ETRs) to target the Pcsk9 gene in mice. The ZFP-based ETRs induced stable and specific epi-silencing of Pcsk9, resulting in reduced circulating levels of PCSK9 and LDL-associated cholesterol. The study also demonstrated the durability of epigenetic silencing even after active cell replication, paving the way for potential clinical applications of the epi-silencing technology.

via Nature.com|

#durable-epi-silencing #epigenome-editing #gene-silencing