89 per cent of genetic defects could be corrected by new DNA tool

US scientists say a new way of editing the code of life could correct 89% of DNA errors that cause disease.

The new prime editing technology has been described as a “genetic word processor”, which is able to precisely re-write the genetic code, and has been used to correct damaging mutations in the lab, including those which cause sickle cell anaemia.

The team at the Broad Institute, say that, whilst the research is only beginning, it is “very versatile and precise”.

Dr David Liu, one of the researchers, said “You can think of prime editors to be like word processors, capable of searching the target DNA sequences and precisely replacing them.

“Prime editors offer more targeting flexibility and greater editing precision.

“Prime editing is the beginning, rather than the end of a long-standing aspiration in the molecular life-sciences to be able to make any DNA change in any position of a living cell or organism, including potentially human patients with genetic diseases.”

The Francis Crick Institute’s Professor Robin Lovell-Badge, said “This is an excellent paper, typical of the careful step-by-step, clever and inventive approach used by David Liu.

“Because the vast majority of human genetic diseases are due to the types of mutation that prime editing can correct, the methods will hopefully prove useful in therapies for such diseases.

“Of course, much more work will be needed to optimise the methods and to find ways to deliver the components efficiently before they could be used clinically to treat patients, but they certainly offer promise.”

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Posted by Tony May, Partner/head of Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

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