This is our latest selection of worldwide publications and patents in english on Biotechnology and CRISPR, between many scientific online journals, classified and focused on CRISPR, gene editing, gRNA, PAM sequence, DNA cleavage, Cas9 protein, genome editing, gene insertion and gene knockout.
A Plasmid-Encoded Surface Polysaccharide Partly Blocks Ceduovirus Infection in Lactococci
Published on 2025-03-11 by Claudia Rendueles, Javier Nicol�s Garay-Novillo, Martin Holm Rau, Paula Gaspar, Jos� �ngel Ruiz-Mas�, Jennifer Mahony, Ana Rodr�guez, Jos� Luis Barra, Gloria del Solar, Beatriz Mart�nez @MDPI
Abstract: Bacteriophages (or phages) remain the leading cause of failure in dairy fermentations. Thereby, phage-resistant Lactococcus lactis and Lactococcus cremoris dairy starters are in continuous demand. In this work, our goal was to identify phage defense mechanisms against ceduoviruses encoded by two wild isolates of dairy origin named L. lactis IPLA517 and IPLA1064. These strains were previously subjected to experimental evolution to select derivatives that are resistant to the bacteriocin Lcn972. I[...]
Our summary: This study investigates how a plasmid-encoded surface polysaccharide blocks ceduovirus infection in lactococci. The loss of a 41 kb endogenous plasmid leads to increased phage sensitivity, highlighting the role of exopolysaccharides in phage defense mechanisms. Horizontal gene transfer between L. lactis and L. garvieae is also demonstrated.
Plasmid, Ceduovirus, CRISPR-Cas9, Exopolysaccharide
Publication
Functional Verification of the Soybean Pseudo-Response Factor GmPRR7b and Regulation of Its Rhythmic Expression
Published on 2025-03-09 by Ziye Song, Jia Liu, Xueyan Qian, Zhengjun Xia, Bo Wang, Nianxi Liu, Zhigang Yi, Zhi Li, Zhimin Dong, Chunbao Zhang, Bo Zhang, Million Tadege, Yingshan Dong, Yuqiu Li @MDPI
Abstract: The pseudo response regulator (PRR) gene is an important component of the core oscillator involved in plant circadian rhythms and plays an important role in regulating plant growth and development and stress responses. In this study, we investigated the function of GmPRR7b by overexpression and gene editing approaches. It was found that GmPRR7b plays a role in delaying flowering. While GmPRR7b overexpressing plants showed significantly delayed flowering compared to untransformed WT, GmPRR7b edit[...]
Our summary: Investigation of GmPRR7b function through overexpression and gene editing, analysis of rhythmic expression of soybean PRR genes, identification of interaction between GmPRR7b and GmPRR5/9a/b.
Functional Verification, Soybean, Circadian Rhythms, Gene Editing
Publication
From Genetic Mechanisms to Therapeutic Challenges
Published on 2025-03-07 by Xuhui Chen, Ya Wang, Yongning Zhang, Xucheng Li, Le Zhang, Shangbang Gao, Cuntai Zhang @MDPI
Abstract: Neural excitatory/inhibitory (E/I) imbalance plays a pivotal role in the aging process. However, despite its significant impact, the role of E/I imbalance in motor dysfunction and neurodegenerative diseases has not received sufficient attention. This review explores the mechanisms underlying motor aging through the lens of E/I balance, emphasizing genetic and molecular factors that contribute to this imbalance (such as SCN2A, CACNA1C, GABRB3, GRIN2A, SYT, BDNF…). Key regulatory ge[...]
Our summary: This review explores the role of E/I imbalance in motor aging, examining genetic and molecular factors contributing to the imbalance and discussing potential therapeutic interventions using innovative genetic technologies.
genetic mechanisms, neural excitatory/inhibitory (E/I) imbalance, motor aging, therapeutic challenges
Publication
OsRNE Encodes an RNase E/G-Type Endoribonuclease Required for Chloroplast Development and Seedling Growth in Rice
Published on 2025-03-06 by Huimin Fang, Lili Song, Kangwei Liu, Yishu Gu, Yao Guo, Chao Zhang, Long Zhang @MDPI
Abstract: Chloroplast biogenesis is a crucial biological process in plants. Endoribonuclease E (RNase E) functions in the RNA metabolism of chloroplast and plays a vital role for chloroplast development in Arabidopsis. However, despite sharing 44.7% of its amino acid sequence identity with Arabidopsis RNase E, the biological function of rice OsRNE (Oryza sativa RNase E) remains unknown. Here, we identified a white leaf and lethal 1 (wll1) mutant that displayed white leaves and died at the seedling stage. [...]
Our summary: OsRNE is essential for chloroplast development and seedling growth in rice, with a crucial role in RNA metabolism and chlorophyll biosynthesis. The OsRNE gene was identified in a mutant displaying white leaves and seedling lethality, with knockout experiments confirming its importance in photosynthetic organs. Transcriptome analysis revealed down-regulation of genes associated with photosynthesis and carbohydrate metabolism pathways in the osrne mutant.
RNase E, Endoribonuclease, Chloroplast development, Seedling growth
Publication
Efforts to Downsize Base Editors for Clinical Applications
Published on 2025-03-06 by Beomjong Song @MDPI
Abstract: Since the advent of the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) system in the gene editing field, diverse CRISPR-based gene editing tools have been developed for treating genetic diseases. Of these, base editors (BEs) are promising because they can carry out precise gene editing at single-nucleotide resolution without inducing DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), which pose significant risks of genomic instability. Despite their outstanding advantages, the clinical applica[...]
Our summary: Downsizing BEs is crucial for therapeutic use, recent advances in size-reduction strategies are highlighted, ongoing efforts to overcome limitations of BEs are discussed.
base editors, gene editing, CRISPR, clinical applications
Publication
Genome editing of plant jaz genes for pathogen resistance and improved fiber quality and yield
Patent published on the 2025-03-06 in WO under Ref WO2025050099 by TEXAS TECH UNIV SYSTEM [US] (Rock Chris [us], Sukumaran Sunitha [us])
Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to a plant or seed that includes one or more altered JASMONATE-ZIM DOMAIN repressor (JAZ) genes. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of altering one or more JAZ genes of a plant or seed by introducing one or more alterations to the one or more JAZ genes of the plant or seed. The altered plants and seeds of the present disclosure may exhibit one or more altered properties, such as jasmonic acid (JA) insensitivity, enhan[...]
Our summary: Genome editing of plant JAZ genes for pathogen resistance and improved fiber quality and yield. Altered plants and seeds with enhanced resistance to pathogens and insects, and improved fiber yield and quality.
Genome editing, Plant, JAZ genes, Pathogen resistance
Patent
HOXA1 Contributes to Bronchial Epithelial Cell Cycle Progression by Regulating p21/CDKN1A
Published on 2025-03-05 by Elizabeth McCluskey, Sathesh Kanna Velli, Rafal Kaminski, Tyler Markward, Hannah Leming, Daohai Yu, Umadevi Sajjan @MDPI
Abstract: Airway basal cells proliferate and regenerate airway epithelium after injury. The first step during airway epithelial repair is airway basal cell proliferation to close the wound. Previously, we demonstrated that homeobox (HOX) A1 expression is reduced in airway stem cells isolated from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. HOXA1 is a developmental gene and plays a role in hematopoietic stem cell proliferation and differentiation, but its contribution to airway epithelial cell migration and pro[...]
Our summary: HOXA1 regulates bronchial epithelial cell cycle progression by controlling p21/CDKN1A, impacting airway basal cell proliferation and migration during epithelial repair.
HOXA1, Bronchial Epithelial, Cell Cycle Progression, p21/CDKN1A
Publication
Single construct platform for simultaneous delivery of gene editing machinery and nucleic acid cargo.
Patent published on the 2024-09-23 in MX under Ref MX2024005318 by TOME BIOSCIENCES INC [US] (Kakkar Rahul [us], Finn Jonathan Douglas, Estes Brett Joseph Gordon, Zhang Yijun)
Abstract: The present disclosure provides nucleic acid compositions, methods, and an overall platform for site-specific genetic engineering using Programmable Addition via Site-Specific Targeting Elements (PASTE), transposon-mediated gene editing, or other suitable gene editing or gene incorporation technology packaged into a single nucleic acid construct.[...]
Our summary: A platform for simultaneous delivery of gene editing machinery and nucleic acid cargo using PASTE and transposon-mediated gene editing technology.
gene editing, nucleic acid cargo, PASTE, transposon-mediated gene editing
Patent
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