AI-Designed Protein Awakens Silenced Genes, One By One (phys.org) 26
By combining CRISPR technology with a protein designed with artificial intelligence, it is possible to awaken individual dormant genes by disabling the chemical "off switches" that silence them. Researchers from the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle describe this finding in the journal Cell Reports. Phys.Org reports: The new technique controls gene activity without altering the DNA sequence of the genome by targeting chemical modifications that help package genes in our chromosomes and regulate their activity. Because these modifications occur not in, but on top of genes, they are called epigenetic, from the Greek epi "over" or "above" the genes. The chemical modifications that regulate gene activity are called epigenetic markers. Scientists are particularly interested in epigenetic modifications because not only do they affect gene activity in normal cell function, epigenetic markers accumulate with time, contribute to aging, and can affect of the health of future generations as we can pass them on to our children.
[...]
In the new paper, [the researchers] show that by using this technique, they were able to block PRC2 and selectively turn on four different genes. They were also able to show they could transdifferentiate induced pluripotent stem cells to placental progenitor cells by simply turning on two genes. Finally, the researchers were able to show how the technique can be used to find the location of specific PRC2-controlled regulatory regions from where individual genes are activated. The location of many of these are unknown. In this case, they identified a promoter region -- called a TATA box -- for a gene called TBX18. Although current thinking is that these promotor regions are close to the gene, within in 30 DNA base pairs, they found for this gene the promoter region was more than 500 base pairs away.
[...]
In the new paper, [the researchers] show that by using this technique, they were able to block PRC2 and selectively turn on four different genes. They were also able to show they could transdifferentiate induced pluripotent stem cells to placental progenitor cells by simply turning on two genes. Finally, the researchers were able to show how the technique can be used to find the location of specific PRC2-controlled regulatory regions from where individual genes are activated. The location of many of these are unknown. In this case, they identified a promoter region -- called a TATA box -- for a gene called TBX18. Although current thinking is that these promotor regions are close to the gene, within in 30 DNA base pairs, they found for this gene the promoter region was more than 500 base pairs away.
Re: (Score:2)
I want to know if I can finally grow a big bushy tail. Like a squirrel. That would be awesome. Chicks would dig it.
Re: (Score:2)
So you want to look like this?
https://imagesvc.meredithcorp.... [meredithcorp.io]
Yes, it is a man dressed as squirrel girl https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/... [wikipedia.org]
Re: (Score:2)
You really think anybody's going to read all that?
You need professional help.
Oranges are cool, but not that cool (Score:3)
Re: (Score:2)
Are you certain the enabling gene is still present and unmutated?
This looks like something that will be a real boon to researchers, but of no direct benefit to medics. The benefits will come after the researchers tease out exactly what effects which genes have.
Re: (Score:2)
Agreed. I've thought fixing the break(s) in our internal creation of Vitamin C could be a smart, safe genetic change to attempt on someone. An easy proof of concept test that shouldn't hurt people in itself.
Unfortunately this is about methylation. The CRISPR thing makes it sound like editing genes (like that normally does), but methylation is how we keep a gene in our DNA and not let it activate like normal. Sort of "paper covering rock" as I understand it. Makes the transcription stuff not stick to th
Start with guinea pigs.. (Score:2)
They also lack vitamin C creation, which is why they have historically been used for many pre-human research trials and become famous as - well - "guinea pigs".
Step two: (Score:2)
Identify the genes that cause people to grow oversized right amygdalas (fear center).
An oversized right amygdala makes people more susceptible to manipulation using fear which can easily result in taking extreme ideological positions. It would certainly save a lot of money in just a few decades.
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
No. You are thinking of the size as a slider scale but it's really of a series of DNA switches.
Re: (Score:2)
I'd like to simply identify that brain state, and be able to warn people (the person with the issue, and people around them). "Nope, Bob won't change their mind with more or better evidence."
And I wonder if this isn't a case of correlation not being causation. Is the area being larger the cause or result of over activation?
I've lived with many anxiety symptoms, and the best medications have been GABA based. Like benzodiazepines would be (never had one). Doctors are terrified of giving those out though.
Re: (Score:2)
I'd like to simply identify that brain state, and be able to warn people (the person with the issue, and people around them). "Nope, Bob won't change their mind with more or better evidence."
I would prefer this brain state cause crippling pain. I think it would become evident to people around them.
And I wonder if this isn't a case of correlation not being causation. Is the area being larger the cause or result of over activation?
The study I'm thinking of found a non-marginal amount of people with normal sized right amygdalas that were abnormally active. This suggests that high levels of activity is not the primary driver of growth. It also suggests that while the size of the right amygdala is significant it is far from an exclusive factor.
AI-Designed Protein ? (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
Think Folding@Home with a "learning algorithm" that tests matches.
Re:AI-Designed Protein ? (Score:4, Funny)
Where's does "AI designed" come into the thing?
in the marketing :)
Re: (Score:2)
Haaaar!
Wait I remember this episode! (Score:2)
PreHistoric Code (Score:1)
You can do this en mass by subjecting the egg or seed (in plants) to a 20,000 volt capacitance field for three days. Then let it sit three days to relax before germination.
A German fertilizer company had announced this on television news in the 1970s.
Grains grew to maturity 4-7 times faster.
No fertilizer was required
No need for pesticides
No need to compete against weeds because these plants grow faster.
less water required.
Unusual expressions would occur.
For example I did this with corn. And the plant had
Re: (Score:1)
The process I outlined erases the RNA codes in the seed or egg.
They also did this on salmon eggs. The resulting salmon had a hook which expressed on thier jaw something which hadn't been seen except back in the fossil record.
The plants would express by creating protiens which hadn't been seen before.
what if those genes HELP us deal with aging ? (Score:2)
Sounds like a more painful, shorter life for the older folks.