How can gene editing help cure diseases? | In Focus podcast

Gene Editing in Disease Cure: In this episode, Dr Vinod Scaria explains to us what genome editing is all about, its potential to cure inherited disorders and diseases.

From genomic medicine, a revolution rolls towards cancer care

Cancer genomics has the potential to transform cancer care by providing personalised treatments based on genomic data.

The chimaeras of nature and their promise to grow human organs | Explained

Animals have long been used to fill the gap between organ donors and recipients. Recent advances in induced pluripotent stem cell technologies have enabled researchers to grow human organs in animals, raising ethical questions. Chimaeras, organisms composed of cells of more than one genotype, exist in nature and have been documented in humans. Bone marrow and organ transplants can also lead to chimerism. Scientists have successfully created a live chimaera in non-human primates, opening new doors for biomedical applications, but ethical issues must be addressed.

How bat genomes provide insights into immunity and cancer

The COVID-19 pandemic cast a bright spotlight on the habits of bats. Over the years, researchers have unearthed significant insights by sequencing the genomes of many bat species.

Genomic clues suggest humans’ ancestors nearly went extinct 9L years ago

Genome sequencing has enabled researchers to uncover population bottlenecks, founder events, and the age of genetic diseases in the history of human evolution and migration. Ancient DNA recently revealed a super-bottleneck in human evolution 900,000 years ago, which could have shaped humanity in ways we don't yet know. Genomic analysis is like a time-travelling telescope, providing insights into our species' future.

Buzzing breakthrough: genetic engineering gives mosquito control an upgrade

Mosquitoes have plagued humans for centuries, transmitting deadly diseases. To combat this, we now have access to the whole genome sequences of multiple mosquito species, allowing us to genetically manipulate them. Gene-drive technology is one such approach, which has been used in outdoor trials in India, Brazil, and Panama, showing promising reduction in mosquito populations. However, there are concerns about unintended consequences, which require extensive data collection and multistakeholder discussions.

12ft