Can CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing finally allow for pig organ transplantations for humans?

The organs in pigs can be suitable for human transplantation. They are nearly identical to human organs in terms of activity and size. However, every animal’s genome is loaded with integrated viruses. The viruses that are present in pigs are mostly harmless to them, but could lead to tumor growth and defects in the immune system if they were to be passed on to humans. A recent research paper tried to tackle these problems with the use of molecular scissors to edit the viruses out of the pig genome.

The Secret to a Long Life: Genome-wide association studies reveal genes associated with longevity

The secret to a long life has always been a topic of intrigue and fascination. Genome-wide studies of people with different life spans have revealed key genes that contribute to a longer life. Moreover, genes involved in longevity were found to be correlated with coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes and father’s age at death.

91% accuracy! Is deep learning the key to determining effective cancer treatment?

A growing problem doctors face is that the primary cell type that produces cancer is sometimes undetermined. This leaves patients with generalized treatment options and a lower survival chance. However, with the use of neural networks and DNA sequencing, there seems to be hope for identifying these primary sites and providing specialized treatment. But what aspects of the genome gives us the best clues and why might some cancer types be harder to identify?

AlphaFold: Unfolding the mystery behind proteins, the building blocks of life

For generations, biologists have aimed to understand every single process of life. The key to moving closer to this goal is to further understand the compounds that govern almost all life processes, i.e. proteins. AlphaFold, a revolutionary new AI tool holds the potential to give us the power to evaluate protein structures like never before, further breaking barriers for advancements in research as well as medicine.