Treating blindness with CRISPR; customized cancer drugs; Beyond Meat takes on critics; and saving bananas from extinction
Update: 2020-03-11
Description
For the first time ever, CRISPR has been used to edit DNA inside a living human being. Scientists have also tapped the gene-editing tool to accelerate DNA sequencing in hopes of customizing cancer treatments. Plant-based burger startup Beyond Meat blasts critics who claim its products are 'ultra-processed.' Genetic engineering may save the world's favorite banana from extinction. But how does the public feel about all this genetic tinkering?
On this episode of Science Facts & Fallacies, plant geneticist Kevin Folta and GLP editor Cameron English go beyond the headlines to break down the latest developments from the world of genetics and biotechnology.
https://media.blubrry.com/biotech_facts_fallacies/content.blubrry.com/biotech_facts_fallacies/CAM55done.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSS
Can CRISPR gene editing save the Cavendish banana from extinction?
The Cavendish banana—that delicious, yellow tropical fruit currently populating the produce sections of our grocery stores—may not be available for much longer. A fungal disease known as Tropical Race 4 (TR-4) is wreaking havoc on banana plantations across South America, threatening to wipe out the Cavendish for good. TR-4 spreads rapidly and isn't easily controlled with pesticide applications. That's why scientists are working feverishly to immunize the banana by cutting a segment of DNA out of its genome that makes it susceptible to TR-4.
Credit: Steve Hopson
More precise cancer treatments may be possible by pairing CRISPR with genetic sequencing
Researchers at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine have used CRISPR to rapidly sequence particular genes involved in the development of breast cancer, eliminating the DNA replication process usually required for genome sequencing. The development could enable the selection of customized cancer drugs that treat the disease based on the genetic makeup of individual patients.
Beyond Meat goes ‘on the offensive,’ blasting critics who claim plant-based burgers are ultra-processed
Plant-based burgers have been a hit with consumers so far, achieving nearly a $1 billion in sales in 2019. This development has made the meat industry nervous,...
On this episode of Science Facts & Fallacies, plant geneticist Kevin Folta and GLP editor Cameron English go beyond the headlines to break down the latest developments from the world of genetics and biotechnology.
https://media.blubrry.com/biotech_facts_fallacies/content.blubrry.com/biotech_facts_fallacies/CAM55done.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSS
Can CRISPR gene editing save the Cavendish banana from extinction?
The Cavendish banana—that delicious, yellow tropical fruit currently populating the produce sections of our grocery stores—may not be available for much longer. A fungal disease known as Tropical Race 4 (TR-4) is wreaking havoc on banana plantations across South America, threatening to wipe out the Cavendish for good. TR-4 spreads rapidly and isn't easily controlled with pesticide applications. That's why scientists are working feverishly to immunize the banana by cutting a segment of DNA out of its genome that makes it susceptible to TR-4.
Credit: Steve Hopson
More precise cancer treatments may be possible by pairing CRISPR with genetic sequencing
Researchers at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine have used CRISPR to rapidly sequence particular genes involved in the development of breast cancer, eliminating the DNA replication process usually required for genome sequencing. The development could enable the selection of customized cancer drugs that treat the disease based on the genetic makeup of individual patients.
Beyond Meat goes ‘on the offensive,’ blasting critics who claim plant-based burgers are ultra-processed
Plant-based burgers have been a hit with consumers so far, achieving nearly a $1 billion in sales in 2019. This development has made the meat industry nervous,...
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