Even more powerful gene editing than CRISPR | New Scientist Weekly podcast 256

A new gene editing technique may be more powerful than CRISPR. Bridge editing is still in its infancy, but could be revolutionary for its ability to more specifically target gene substitutions. This method of altering DNA may let us create single treatments for gene mutations across large groups of people - something even CRISPR can’t do.
China’s Chang’e 6 spacecraft has returned to Earth with samples from the far side of the moon - the first ever. Hear what the samples may tell us about this hard-to-study part of the lunar surface, plus what China is planning for its next big exploration missions.
A dangerous new strain of mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, has been identified in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. A thousand cases have been reported since September and several hundred people have died. What makes this strain so dangerous and can it be kept under control?
A fossil has been discovered that is thought to be a Neanderthal child who had Down’s syndrome. It’s estimated the child lived to at least 6 years old and may have received extra care from the community - more evidence that Neanderthals weren’t as brutish and unfeeling as thought.
Plus: The kind of paper that’s most likely to give you a papercut; AI being trained to perform elegant chess moves; a creepy robot made with human skin
Hosts Timothy Revell and Christie Taylor discuss with guests Michael Le Page, Leah Crane, Alexandra Thompson and Chris Simms.
To read more about these stories, visit newscientist.com.
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[@wendyjohanson5020]

I have the Huntington gene and hopefully this will be available and work for me

[@BrokeTheGamer]

You should record this as a SHOW!

[@childrenoftheloom]

❤this ,very interesting. Thanks for covering .

[@KamalaHarris4Prez]

Thank you for highlighting our work!

[@cvspvr]

when're you going to invent real life catgirls?

[@shiva7334]

Sir for muscle fibres gene variance exon 9 and 11 fiber variant gene editing therapy is possible ha I have money for treatment

[@leed9480]

First time listening. Now a subscriber.

[@DavidAmrod]

Ummm... How do they keep the skin alive?

[@fk3547]

How likely is it that with this technology we will be able to make edits to not just single genes but to tens or even hundreds of genes at the same time? I am asking that because a lot of illnesses arrise from defects of multiple genes, not just 1 like in the case of sickle cell

[@roro-mm7cc]

We are already could theoretically change lots of genes - but our understanding of genetics isn't nearly yet at a level where we could do this with any understanding of how these genes will interact etc / certainty of safety. So yeh while we could use multiple AAVs to introduce loads of genes into cells in the body.. this would be very haphazard and there haven't been the trials yet to ensure its safety. The finding discussed here seems to be more about confirming that that the correct piece of DNA has been inserted into the target site. Imagine a cell that has been transfected with your chosen insertion DNA sequence ; in addition to this chosen strand, there will also be other nucleotide sequences floating around in the cell e.g transcripts and reverse transcripts from transposable elements etc. TEs are self replicating DNA sequences that have a very high copy number in the genome. They encode the enzymes necessary for their replication, reverse transcription and insertion elsewhere in the genome - they basically copy themselves everywhere across the genome and are quite a nuisance really. Soo yeh your nucleotide sequence will be competing with these other small sequences for potential insertion.. from what I understand this new technology is a method for screening the piece of DNA inserted to ensure it isn't one of the unwanted pieces and removing it if it is. He didn't really spend that long explaining it tho will have to read the paper when I have time to be sure this is a correct understanding.

[@williamwillaims]

For sure, there's a gecko boy in an Italian basement somewhere 🦎 😂

[@ramkumartatavarthi7274]

Article is very interesting

[@CYI3ERPUNK]

ever unfolding , as always , iteration upon iteration until we arrive =]

[@reeannaheatherstar]

Right.... So bridge editing is not viable yet.... Bloody hell, only just learned of crispa! Australia leading the way in gene manipulation and this idea pops up? If it works, than tell us!

[@squamish4244]

So it's coming. These days, that means it will be here soon. AI is driving stuff at a rate like never before.

[@ioanbota9397]

I like it

[@thedude6405]

I cant wait to edit me mom, give her some positive thoughts. Me driving on high way for 3 hours at night, while mom keeps yelling at dad in high pitched scream the whole f trip, worst memory ever.