New tool for cutting DNA: Promising prospects for biotechnology

New tool for cutting DNA: Promising prospects for biotechnology

A team discovers a new family of enzymes capable of inducing targeted cuts in single-stranded DNA A few years ago, the advent of technology known as CRISPR was a major breakthrough in the scientific world. Developed from a derivative of the immune system of bacteria, CRISPR enables double strands of nucleotides in deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) to be cut. This makes it possible to specifically modify a targeted gene in plant, animal and human cells…

New CRISPR Method Enables High-Throughput Creation of Hybrid Proteins

Fast, cost-effective identification of safe protein insertion sites could enable advanced biosensors and multi-functional proteins

A few years ago, the arrival of a technology called CRISPR was a major breakthrough in the scientific world. Derived from the immune system of bacteria, CRISPR allows the cutting of double strands of nucleotides in deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). This gives the possibility to specifically modify a targeted gene in plant, animal and human cells. CRISPR ultimately became a preferred route in the search for treatment for acquired or hereditary disease…

Ginkgo Bioworks (DNA): Building Life On Demand

A New Era For Biotech Over time, knowledge about medicine and biotechnology has changed in successive important phases. At first, it was mostly about understanding natural biochemical processes. Then, synthetic chemical drugs started to alter these processes. Then, bioengineering allowed for the production by GMO microbes of cheap and safe insulin, growth hormone, etc. Today, many technologies are converging to open another era of biosciences: B…

An INRS team discovers a new family of enzymes capable of inducing targeted cuts in single-stranded DNA. Illustration depicting various single-stranded DNA sequences cleaved by distinct bacterial homologues of the new Ssn enzyme family. Credit: Ella Maru Studio. A few years ago, the arrival of a technology called CRISPR was a major breakthrough in the scientific world. Derived from the bacterial immune system, CRISPR makes it possible to cut dou…