“ tabindex=”0” amino acids and incorporated sulfur-based compounds much earlier than previously thought. This challenges long-standing experiments and opens the door to the possibility that extinct genetic codes existed before ours.
Cracking the Code of Life’s Origins
Despite awe-inspiring diversity, nearly all life on Earth — from tiny bacteria to massive blue whales — shares the same genetic code. But exactly how and when this code emerged remains a topic of scientific debate.
A study reveals DNA
DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is a molecule composed of two long strands of nucleotides that coil around each other to form a double helix. It is the hereditary material in humans and almost all other organisms that carries genetic instructions for development, functioning, growth, and reproduction. Nearly every cell in a person’s body has the same DNA. Most DNA is located in the cell nucleus (where it is called nuclear DNA), but a small amount of DNA can also be found in the mitochondria (where it is called mitochondrial DNA or mtDNA).
Researchers have uncovered a way to manipulate DNA
DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is a molecule composed of two long strands of nucleotides that coil around each other to form a double helix. It is the hereditary material in humans and almost all other organisms that carries genetic instructions for development, functioning, growth, and reproduction. Nearly every cell in a person’s body has the same DNA. Most DNA is located in the cell nucleus (where it is called nuclear DNA), but a small amount of DNA can also be found in the mitochondria (where it is called mitochondrial DNA or mtDNA).
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Australian researchers have successfully introduced an improved version of Cas12a gene-editing enzyme in mice. Their work establishes a next-generation gene-editing tool that enhances genetic manipulation for cancer and medical research in a preclinical model.
The study, “Advancing the genetic engineering toolbox by combining AsCas12a knock-in mice with ultra-compact screening,” was published in Nature Communications.
“This is the first time Cas12a has been used in preclinical models, which will greatly advance our genome engineering capabilities,” said co-author Eddie La Marca, PhD, a postdoctoral researcher at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute (ONJCRI) in Australia.
Health during pregnancy does not cause autism, according to a study of 1.1M pregnancies. Genetics and fetal complications play a much larger role, challenging long-held assumptions about autism risk factors. +.
Summary: A large study analyzing over 1.1 million pregnancies found no strong evidence that maternal health conditions during pregnancy cause autism. Instead, nearly all previously reported associations between maternal diagnoses and autism could be explained by genetic or environmental factors.
Researchers found that only fetal complications remained statistically linked to autism, suggesting these issues might be early signs rather than causes. By analyzing sibling and paternal health records, the study further ruled out many maternal conditions as contributing factors.
The findings emphasize that autism likely begins before birth due to genetic influences rather than maternal health conditions. This research may help alleviate guilt for parents and shift focus toward early diagnosis and support.
The most complex engineering of human cell lines ever has been achieved by scientists, revealing that our genomes are more resilient to significant structural changes than was previously thought.
Researchers from the Wellcome Sanger Institute, Imperial College London, Harvard University in the US and their collaborators used CRISPR prime editing to create multiple versions of human genomes in cell lines, each with different structural changes. Using genome sequencing, they were able to analyze the genetic effects of these structural variations on cell survival.
The research, published in Science, shows that as long as essential genes remain intact, our genomes can tolerate significant structural changes, including large deletions of the genetic code. The work opens the door to studying and predicting the role of structural variation in disease.
Tune Therapeutics, a Durham biotechnology startup co-founded by a Duke professor, announced the completion of its Series B fundraising round on Jan. 12, in which it raised $175 million to support clinical trials for its epigenome editor.
The company will use the funding to advance clinical trials for Tune-401, the epigenetic silencing drug for treating chronic Hepatitis B — a viral infection that damages the liver and affects millions globally. The investment will also support the development of various other therapies, including additional gene, cell and regenerative therapy programs.
“The goal is to epigenetically repress the virus to prevent it from being able to replicate and make the viral proteins that it would normally produce,” said Charles Gersbach, John W. Strohbehn distinguished professor of biomedical engineering and cofounder of Tune Therapeutics.
We often discuss cybernetic, genetic engineering, artificial intelligence, and hybrids of them, but what truly is synthetic life? And what is it like?
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/ discord Credits: Synthetic Life Science & Futurism with Isaac Arthur Episode 333a, March 13, 2022 Written, Produced & Narrated by Isaac Arthur Editors: David McFarlane Jason Burbank Jerry Guern Cover Art: Jakub Grygier https://www.artstation.com/jakub_grygier Music Courtesy of Epidemic Sound http://epidemicsound.com/creator.
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Credits:
Synthetic Life.
Science & Futurism with Isaac Arthur.
Episode 333a, March 13, 2022
Written, Produced & Narrated by Isaac Arthur.
Editors:
David McFarlane.
Jason Burbank.
Jerry Guern.
Cover Art:
Jakub Grygier https://www.artstation.com/jakub_grygier.
Music Courtesy of Epidemic Sound http://epidemicsound.com/creator