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19/01/2015

New Technique Could Prevent Genetic Diseases Before Conception - Study

A new technique that could prevent genetic diseases in babies before the moment of conception have been unveiled.

In a study, published in the Nature Group journal Scientific Reports, scientists from the University of Bath's Department of Biology & Biochemistry used 'molecular scissors' that can edit the DNA of either the egg or sperm of mice during fertilisation.

Researchers used an enzyme – Cas9 – to cut a specific point in the genome and precisely edit at the point DNA from the sperm and egg come together.

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Dr Tony Perry, the study's senior author at the University's Laboratory of Mammalian Molecular Embryology, explained: "We're really excited about this research. Previously, this technique had been demonstrated with established embryos but we've shown that we can accurately edit genes in the sperm or egg around the time of fertilisation, just as the embryo is starting to develop.

"Cas9 works by cutting the DNA at a precise point in the genome. The cell repairs this cut but chews the frayed ends before rejoining them, destroying the function of the gene.

"The technique has many exciting potential applications. It could help to provide disease resistance to livestock or perhaps provide a method for preventing serious genetic conditions in humans at the point of conception – for example by allowing carriers of life-threatening genetic conditions such as cystic fibrosis to conceive healthy babies without the risk of passing on the disease."

(JP/IT)

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"A new technique that could prevent genetic diseases in babies before the moment of conception have been unveiled."