Scientists in the Netherlands have used gene editing to remove " 99 % of dormant herpes viruses " in human cells without damaging any other cells . Using CRISPR , a gene - editing enzyme which " cuts " DNA to prevent genes from repairing properly , they managed to prevent regrowth of the Epstein - Barr virus virus , which can cause glandular fever and is linked with several cancers . “We could efficiently remove the latent genome from infected cells, essentially curing cells from their invader,” says Lebbink. Cutting one point of the genome resulted in a 50 % reduction in " viral activity " . Although the breakthrough is significant , there are still obstacles of " safety and delivering the CRISPR machinery " to be overcome .
Scientists in the Netherlands have used gene editing to remove " 99 % of dormant herpes viruses " in human cells without damaging any other cells . Using CRISPR , a gene - editing enzyme which " cuts " DNA to prevent genes from repairing properly , they managed to prevent regrowth of the Epstein - Barr virus virus , which can cause glandular fever and is linked with several cancers . Cutting one point of the genome resulted in a 50 % reduction in " viral activity " . Although the breakthrough is significant , there are still obstacles of " safety and delivering the CRISPR machinery " to be overcome .