What’s more worrisome, potential disease-carrying mosquitoes or releasing self-perpetuating CRISPR gene drive out into the wide world to combat them? We know how the mosquitoes would answer that question, right? And they are fighting back, in a sense, at least in the context of experiments. Mosquitoes were able to develop resistance to gene drive intended …
Mosquitoes swat back via resistance to CRISPR gene drive Read More »
After the NY Times published an article on June 8th on the exciting, controversial technology called gene drive that can alter the genome of an entire species, strangely the article’s headline changed at least twice. The article was focused on a National Academy panel studying this technology. The headline gradually evolved to become much more positive in tone. You …
Shape Shifting NY Times Headline on Gene Drive Becomes More Positive Read More »
I had fun doing an interview on This Week in Science (TWIS) this week with Dr. Kiki Sanders. The video is below. We talked specifically about CRISPR, designer babies, gene drive, and my new book GMO Sapiens. Check out the book. TWIS is so awesome and I am now going back to watch their older …
Video: #CRISPR, designer babies, gene drive, my book & more on TWIS Read More »
Gene drive is a powerful, emerging genetic technology that can force genetic modification into an entire population. For more background on gene drive you can read my previous post. It’s a very exciting, but potentially dangerous technology with sizable possible risks. Recently I had an intriguing conversation with leading geneticist Harmit Malik on gene drive. What …
Conversation with Harmit Malik on Gene Drive & Genetics Read More »
Scientists studying genetics are both excited and worried about a powerful, new technology called “gene drive“. Some have been raising serious concerns about gene drive and in certain cases calling for proactive regulation, which is unusual in science. This method is so powerful because it is designed to induce genetic changes in an entire population …
Exciting CRISPR-powered “gene drive” also has scientists deeply concerned Read More »
The biotechs Vertex and CRISPR Therapeutics have an interesting relationship as biotechs. They are partners are multiple levels but also are very different as companies including in size. There’s been a key development in one of their partnerships. Before we jump into that, please check out the video version of my 20 stem cell and …
Weekly reads: Vertex & CRISPR Therapeutics, Arnold Caplan death, MS genetics Read More »
Years ago I wrote about how I wished humans could form a blastema, which is a special area of regeneration near an injury that drives tissue replacement. For example, when a lizard loses its tail to a pursuing bobcat, if it can regrow a new one that process will depend on a blastema. The same goes …
New Year’s reads: having a blastema, gene therapy cost, pathogen lab escape data Read More »
Cell therapy companies face many hurdles. I wrote recently about four cell therapy biotechs that have been really struggling. Blogging here at The Niche for more than a dozen years, I’ve seen many companies even go under. That’s bad news for the field, for patients, and for investors. Today I wanted to highlight some cell therapy …
3 cell therapy companies doing well: Vertex, Vericel, & Regeneron Read More »
Toward the end of each year, I make stem cell & regenerative medicine predictions for the coming year. It’s a fun tradition here on The Niche that goes way back. The stem cell field has changed dramatically as reflected in each year’s predictions. Here’s a list of past predictions with my grades of how they …
2023 stem cell & regenerative medicine predictions Read More »
It’s that time of year again when I grade my previous year’s predictions for the stem cell & regenerative medicine space. Overall, I did better than a typical year. I give the 2022 predictions an A- overall. This exercise can be kind of fun but also humbling. For example, I tend to be too optimistic …
Grading my 2022 regenerative medicine predictions Read More »