Researchers from Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard and the McGovern Institute for Brain Research at MIT have developed a cyanobacteria CRISPR-associated transposase (CAST) gene-editing system that can insert large DNA sequences into a genome, optimising DNA introduction while reducing errors in the process. The researchers used this approach to introduce genes encoding proteins involved with photosynthesis into Escherichia coli (E. coli) cells. New genes could replace mutated DNA in conditions such as sickle cell disease, the researchers believe.
Researchers from Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard and the McGovern Institute for Brain Research at MIT have developed a cyanobacteria CRISPR-associated transposase (CAST) gene-editing system that can insert large DNA sequences into a genome, optimising DNA introduction while reducing errors in the process. Research, along with agricultural and therapeutic applications, could be based on the platform. New genes could replace mutated DNA in conditions such as sickle cell disease, the researchers believe.