Gene Editing Supplement

A two-year study conducted by researchers from the University of California Davis found that the meat and milk from genome-edited (GnEd) cattle had nutritional values within the same range as that of conventional cattle, further suggesting that biotechnology tools can be safely applied to animals to achieve useful ends.

Designer TALE Successfully Produces Plant Growth Regulator to Increase Rice Yield

Experts from the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences were able to design and construct a designer transcription activator-like effector (TALE) to target the OsNOG1 gene in rice. The results showed an increase in grain number of rice plants as well as an increase in grain yield per plant demonstrating its effectiveness in enhancing rice yield.

‘Softer' Form of CRISPR Edits Genes More Accurately

A research group at the University of California, San Diego, led by Ethan Bier and Annabel Guichard, has developed a new form of CRISPR that can more efficiently insert correct DNA sequences at the site of a mutation, with fewer off-target effects.

First CRISPR Drug Coming Soon

Vertex and CRISPR Therapeutics presented impressive results of clinical trials for exagamglogene autotemcel (exa-cel), which can help patients with beta thalassemia and sickle cell disease (SCD). Exa-cel is the first gene editing therapy of its kind and will be submitted for regulatory approval in the US, UK, and Europe by the end of 2022.

Research and Tools

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.

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