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Nervous Editing

Effective gene editing in non-dividing cells like neurons

30 May 2021

Nervous Editing

The discovery of CRISPR gene editing technology, which allows scientists to make precise changes to DNA in cells or even whole organisms, has transformed biomedical research. It’s now possible to add, remove or change stretches of DNA anywhere in the genome and see what happens. But while CRISPR makes it relatively easy to alter genes in cells that are actively replicating, it’s still challenging to get it to work in cells that are no longer multiplying, such as mature nerve cells. Now a new technique enables researchers to use CRISPR to add a stretch of DNA encoding a fluorescent molecular marker into a gene that is active in nerve cells grown in the lab like the one in this image, highlighting its delicate branching structure. The technique also works in cells in living animals, providing an important new tool for neuroscientists seeking to understand how nerve cells grow and function.

Written by Kat Arney

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BPoD stands for Biomedical Picture of the Day. Managed by the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences until Jul 2023, it is now run independently by a dedicated team of scientists and writers. The website aims to engage everyone, young and old, in the wonders of biology, and its influence on medicine. The ever-growing archive of more than 4000 research images documents over a decade of progress. Explore the collection and see what you discover. Images are kindly provided for inclusion on this website through the generosity of scientists across the globe.

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