$3 Million Dollar Boost for MU Scientist! Unlocking Disease Mysteries with Gene Editing Next?

Buoyed by a generous $3 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Kiho Lee, a prominent researcher at the University of Missouri, is poised to explore the genetic fundamentals of diseases via gene editing techniques. Aiming high, Lee aspires to unearth consequential insights into conditions like Alzheimer's, cancer, and infertility. His lofty ambition doesn't end there - he's also tackling worldwide hunger issues.

Widespread conditions such as Alzheimer's affect a substantial portion of the population, with figures suggesting about 11%, or 6.7 million Americans over 65, according to The Alzheimer’s Association. The genetic predisposition linked to early-onset Alzheimer’s implies that gene editing might offer a viable solution in the future. This grant carries a dual mandate, prompting innovation not only in biomedical domains, focusing on human diseases, but also in agriculture. Lee optimistically believes his research will uplift pig welfare and boost food yields for farmers.

Embarking on this journey, Lee's team will scrutinize the effectiveness and safety of genome editing tools like the CRISPR/Cas system. Their mission is to enhance gene-testing procedures and construct strategies that optimize targeted genome editing events. The project outlines three key targets:

• Formulating a technique for globally detecting unexpected results of gene editing in genetically modified pigs.
• Crafting a method to safeguard genome integrity during gene editing.
• Instituting a quick strategy for characterizing genetically altered pigs in utero, and adjusting the genome of wild-type adult pigs to secure advantageous traits for agriculture and biomedicine.

"The endgame is to create founder pigs with minimal unintended alterations, or 'off-targeting events'," expressed Lee. "This will ensure that the modified animals - the founder ones - exhibit the phenotype or trait we aim for, boosting the overall effectiveness of the process."

This research is set to aid scientists in fine-tuning the gene editing process to control the traits that the animals will demonstrate. As breeding genetically engineered pigs often requires considerable time, this is a crucial aspect of the study.

Bethany Redel, a USDA-ARS scientist, will contribute her valuable expertise to this research, showcasing the effective collaboration between the University of Missouri and USDA-ARS, as well as their joint commitment to devising solutions that uphold the future of agriculture. The funding was granted under the auspices of the Dual Purpose with Dual Benefit program, a joint venture between the NIH and the USDA.

Source : ​industrialnews.co.uk