Cpf1: CRISPR-enzyme scissors cutting both RNA and DNA
[2016-04-20] Scientists delineate molecular details of a new bacterial CRISPR-Cpf1 system and open possible avenue for alternative gene editing uses like targeting several genes in parallel. (Nature 20 April 2016)
Only a few years after its discovery, it is difficult to conceive of genetics without the CRISPR-Cas9 enzyme scissors, which allow for a very simple, versatile and reliable modification of DNA of various organisms. Since its discovery, scientists throughout the world have been working on ways of further improving or adjusting the CRISPR-Cas9 system to their specific needs. Researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology in Berlin, the Umeå University in Sweden and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research in Braunschweig have now discovered a feature of the CRISPR-associated protein Cpf1 that has previously not been observed in this family of enzymes: Cpf1 exhibits dual, RNA and DNA, cleavage activity. In contrast to CRISPR-Cas9, Cpf1 is able to process the pre-crRNA on its own, and then using the processed RNA to specifically target and cut DNA. Not requiring a host derived RNase and the tracrRNA makes this the most minimalistic CRISPR immune system known to date. The mechanism of combining two separate catalytic moieties in one allows for possible new avenues for sequence specific genome engineering, most importantly facilitation of targeting multiple sites at once, the so-called multiplexing.
Read more: Cpf1: CRISPR-enzyme scissors cutting both RNA and DNA
[2016-06-08] The Fernström Committee at the Faculty of Medicine has awarded the Erik K. Fernström prize for 2016 to Nelson Gekara, Group Leader at MIMS and the Department of Molecular Biology. Gekara’s research focuses on the regulation of the innate immune system and the connection to infection and DNA damage.
Felipe Cava and Akbar Espaillat at the MIMS participated in the discovery of a unique system of acquisition of essential metals in the pathogenic bacterium Staphylococcus aureus. This research was led by scientists at the CEA in France, in collaboration with researchers at the University of Pau, the INRA and the CNRS. It represents a new potential target for the design of antibiotics. These results are being published in the journal Science on Friday 27th May.
Read the News Feature in Nature 522 (28 April 2016)
[2016-03-24] The L'Oréal Foundation and UNESCO organise a week with media and scientific meetings for the five laureates of the 2016 L'Oréal- UNESCO For Women in Science Awards in the field of Life Sciences. The French woman Emmanuelle Charpentier is a quested person by the French media, giving TV and radio interviews, meeting the press, and also the scientists and students ath the Académie des Sciences. The L'Oreal organised a media marathon for the laureates which represent five continents: From Latin America, Andrea Gmarnik is honored for her discoveries on mosquito-borne viruses, particularly Dengue Fever. From Asia/Pacific the awardee is Hualan Chen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China, honored for her research about the bird flu virus, which lead to development of vaccine. Abdool Karim, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, represents Africa and the Arab states and is honored for her "remarkable contribution to the prevention and treatment of HIV and associated infections".
Emmanuelle Charpentier, representing Europe, is awarded "for her game-changing discovery,(...), of a versatile DNA editing technique to “rewrite” flawed genes in people and other living organisms, opening tremendous new possibilities for treating, even curing, diseases." Which is the same motivation as for Jennifer Doudna, who is the fifth women representing North-America. Nominated by more than 2600 leading scientists, a jury, chaired by Nobel Laureate Elizabeth Blackburn, selected this year's laureates. The Prize Ceremony is held on Thursday, 24 March at the Sorbonne in Paris.
