Light-activated genes might be precisely controlled and targeted <\/p>\n
By Ken Kingery <\/p>\n
Duke University researchers have devised a method to activate genes in any specific location or pattern in a lab dish with the flip of a light switch by crossing a bacteriums viral defense system with a flowers response to sunlight. <\/p>\n
With the ability to use light to activate genes in specific locations, researchers can better study genes functions, create complex systems for growing tissue, and perhaps eventually realize science-fiction-like healing technologies. <\/p>\n
The study was led by Charles Gersbach, assistant professor of biomedical engineering at Duke University, and published on February 9 in Nature Chemical Biology. <\/p>\n
Researchers demonstrate their new technique to control genes by shining light through a Duke D stencil to turn on fluorescent genes in cells. <\/p>\n
The new technique targets specific genes using an emerging genetic engineering system called CRISPR\/Cas9. Discovered as the system bacteria use to identify viral invaders and slice up their DNA, the system was co-opted by researchers to precisely target specific genetic sequences. <\/p>\n
The Duke scientists then turned to another branch of the evolutionary tree to make the system light-activated. <\/p>\n
In many plants, two proteins lock together in the presence of light, allowing plants to sense the length of day which determines biological functions like flowering. By attaching the CRISPR\/Cas9 system to one of these proteins and gene-activating proteins to the other, the team was able to turn several different genes on or off just by shining blue light on the cells. <\/p>\n
Charles Gersbach <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Go here to read the rest: Light-activated genes might be precisely controlled and targeted By Ken Kingery Duke University researchers have devised a method to activate genes in any specific location or pattern in a lab dish with the flip of a light switch by crossing a bacteriums viral defense system with a flowers response to sunlight. Continue reading
\nLighting Up the Duke 'D' With Genes<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"