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FDA approves first test of CRISPR to correct genetic defect causing sickle cell disease
April 1, 2021
UC scientists and physicians hope to permanently cure patients of sickle cell disease by using CRISPR-Cas9 to replace a defective gene with the normal version.
Is this one protein responsible for weight gain?
February 25, 2021
Diminishing a single protein in a set of mice caused them to gain only half the weight of other mice, even on a high-fat diet.
Jennifer Doudna wins 2020 Nobel Prize in chemistry
October 7, 2020
Jennifer Doudna, UC Berkeley and UCSF professor and Berkeley Lab faculty scientist, shares the prize with Emmanuelle Charpentier for their discovery of CRISPR-Cas9 as a tool for making targeted changes to the genome.
Scientists achieve first complete assembly of human X chromosome
July 16, 2020
The first end-to-end, completely gapless DNA sequence of a human chromosome is a major milestone for genomics.
UC Berkeley launches trial of saliva test for COVID-19
June 30, 2020
Saliva can be gathered without medical supervision, unlike current tests, which saves time, money and precious PPE.
Researchers forge a new weapon to fight parasites and other infections
March 11, 2020
‘It’s a first step toward fulfilling the promise of the genomics era to inform how we combat disease,’ lead researcher says.
Most comprehensive study of whole cancer genomes completed
February 6, 2020
The Pan-Cancer Project discovers causes of unexplained cancers and zeros in on mechanisms of development.
Why are humans the only species prone to heart attacks?
July 23, 2019
Gene loss 2 to 3 million years ago may explain why coronary events are common in humans but rare in other animals.
Scientists chart course toward a new world of synthetic biology
June 27, 2019
Genetically engineered trees that provide fire-resistant lumber for homes? We're on the cusp of a revolution.
The first genome surgeons
October 25, 2018
CRISPR opens door to new type of medicine: “genome surgery.”