CRISPR-Cas9 entra en acción
las tijeras moleculares que desafían al síndrome de Down
Abstract
Down syndrome is a genetic condition caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21, which affects the physical and cognitive development of those who have it. Although modifying this genetic cause remains a major challenge, experimental approaches are being explored to inactivate or eliminate the extra chromosome during the early stages of development. Recently, a group of scientists used stem cells derived from individuals with Down syndrome and applied the gene-editing tool CRISPR-Cas9 to selectively remove the extra copy of chromosome 21. This experimental intervention normalized the chromosome number in 37.5% of the treated cells, without affecting other chromosomes. This breakthrough opens the door to strategies that could enable intervention before birth to correct genetic alterations such as those seen in Down syndrome.
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References
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