Scientists in the Netherlands have used gene editing to remove "95% of dormant herpes viruses" in human genes without damaging any other cells. Using CRISPR, a gene-editing tool which "cuts" DNA to prevent genes from repairing properly, they managed to prevent regrowth of the Epstein-Barr herpes 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". “We could efficiently remove the latent genome from infected cells, essentially curing cells from their invader,” says Lebbink. The Dutch team published their findings on Monday in Nature Communications.
Scientists in the Netherlands have used gene editing to remove "95% of dormant herpes viruses" in human genes without damaging any other cells. Using CRISPR, a gene-editing tool which "cuts" DNA to prevent genes from repairing properly, they managed to prevent regrowth of the Epstein-Barr herpes 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". The Dutch team published their findings on Monday in Nature Communications.