08 – 14 August 2016
Obama Administration Set to Remove Barrier to Marijuana Research
The Obama administration is planning to remove a major roadblock to marijuana research. The new policy is expected to sharply increase the supply of marijuana available to researchers. Find source
Controversy over NgAgo gene-editing intensifies
Three months ago, Han Chunyu, a biologist, reported that the enzyme NgAgo can be used to edit mammalian genes.A controversy is escalating over whether this technique proposed as an alternative to the popular CRISPR–Cas9 system actually works. Find source
Beyond CRISPR: A guide to the many other ways to edit a genome
CRISPR–Cas9 has its limitations. It is excellent at going to a particular location on the genome and cutting there, says bioengineer Prashant Mali at the University of California, San Diego. “But sometimes your application of interest demands a bit more.” Find source
Scientists Image Gene Expression in Living Human Brains for the First Time
researchers have unveiled another “first” in brain imaging: a visualisation of epigenetic activity in a living human brain. This could help show the role epigenetics plays in different disorders, and even help develop drugs. Find source
A safer way for bone marrow transplants
Scientists have devised a way to destroy blood stem cells in mice without using chemotherapy or radiotherapy, both of which have toxic side effects. Find source
