CRISPR: Editing Your DNA Has Never Been Easier

Genetic engineering is one of those topics that’s simultaneously exciting, confusing and potentially scary - but recently, a technique called CRISPR was shown to work as a genome engineering tool in human cells. That's right, with CRISPR, scientists have figured out how to make specific genetic edits in DNA, and can do it more easily than ever before. But does that mean all genetic diseases will soon be a thing of the past?

Which advance in science has captured your attention recently? Let us know in the comments below - maybe we will do a show on it!

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[FourTwentyMagic]

CRISPR is especially useful, because, unlike ZNF or TALEN, they rely on a guide RNA or gRNA (though the bacterial immune system relied on two RNA strands - crRNA and tracrRNA), which makes CRISPR much more versatile, cheaper and easier to use. ZNF and TALEN required synthesis of specific parts of the protein so that a customized target sequence could be targeted. With CRISPR, simply design the gRNA, synthesize that strand of RNA and you're "almost" good to go. Furthermore, CRISPR works on human germlines, so germline editing is possible, which means that engineered traits can be passed on to offspring. We live in a brave new world. Its really exciting.

[dpkmcbl]

Recent publication of Bacterial Type IV pili motor is very exciting to me. this work was done by Chang, who modeled the machinery "Architecture of the type IVa pilus machine."

[chancetime]

With a 20% chance of passing on a rather severe form of autism to any future son I am tracking this research closely.

[benparkinson]

good show FW: Thinking! Keep up the good work.

[FourTwentyMagic]

Really interesting new discoveries: Gene drive (bit older), Molecular printer ("print" almost any organic molecule), Metal that can contract...

[kylexy]

When we get to a point with quantum entanglement that we can communicate with zero time delay across lightyears, when you think about the potential it's amazing! That's one of the things I'm most excited about.

[JewishMusicToronto]

Could you talk about the whole gravitational waves thing, and possibly also explain why it is or is not important in the larger context of scientific discoveries? Thanks!

[davecat]

I have two ideas for future shows: MIT's cyborg tissue and Cambrian Genomics' laster-printed DNA

[gggavin]

the xperia projector, it's a pretty cool concept that turns surfaces into a touch screen.

[robinhyperlord]

That is cool but when will we have regenerative cloning?

[bartholomewgrundy]

DAAAMN Daniel back at it again with a new video 👍👍🙌🙌

[The_Rising_Dragon]

Space flux/gravitational waves has got me excited.

[RoScFan]

why not have an episode about SENS and aubrey de grey? GMO algae that make fuel out of sunlight would be nice too. Thorium reactors would be also a nice episode.

[sidekick]

I have always thouft about changing the body so that you can run as fast as the flash

[julittok]

We need to speed things up I want to live a thousand years at least, come on chop chop.

[CowboySanta]

I personally love all the advancements in drone technology. maybe soon anyone will be able to make great movies of really hard areas to go to, simply send a drone. or self action videos with the follow me video drones. all ready out there. 😊

[Levi-weis]

I'm interested in Neurocell. I do not personally want to use this, but I would like to learn about the science of it or if it is a hoax or not.

[florbengorben]

Scientists in japan created invisible shapes you can feel and this could be the future of holograms. Look up haptoclone its SO COOL

[paultremblay]

Am excited about discoveries that improve IQ of a person, also discoveries that fight aging.

[atps]

+FW: Thinking, the answer to your question is "Gravitational waves".