TALENs Used to Edit Mitochondrial DNA
July 22, 2020| |
An inter-university team of scientists developed a method to successfully edit the mitochondrial DNA within living cells in a precise manner by combining the features of CRISPR with TALENs.
The scientists found an interbacterial toxin that enabled them to change a cytosine base in the DNA code to thiamine, thereby harnessing the potential to correct some point of mutations in the mitochondrial genome. This was further enhanced by delivering an editor that negated its toxicity and pairing it with a protein guide TALE that is able to cross the mitochondrial membrane. This resulted in the precise point mutations in the mitochondrial DNA.
The newly discovered approach may eventually become a tool that scientists can use to better model mitochondrial diseases, as mitochondrial genome editors have the potential to help treat mitochondrial-derived diseases.
| |
You might also like:
- Scientists Use TALENs for Targeted Genome Editing of Potato
- New Methods Promise to Speed Up Development of New Plant Varieties
- Scientists Finally Record Successful Mitochondrial DNA Editing in Plants
Biotech Updates is a weekly newsletter of ISAAA, a not-for-profit organization. It is distributed for free to over 22,000 subscribers worldwide to inform them about the key developments in biosciences, especially in biotechnology. Your support will help us in our mission to feed the world with knowledge. You can help by donating as little as $10.
-
See more articles:
-
Gene Editing Supplement (July 22, 2020)
-
Read the latest: - Biotech Updates (May 6, 2026)
- Gene Editing Supplement (April 29, 2026)
- Gene Drive Supplement (February 22, 2023)
-
Subscribe to BU: - Share
- Tweet