A new and ‘safer’ gene-editing approach

Plus: Raytheon’s hypersonic missile travels faster than five times the speed of sound in a test flight. Aug 20, 2022 [Blueprint]( Gene editing has become so popular that it can really be the future of medicine. If you are interested in the field, chances are you’ve heard of CRISPR. The Nobel Prize-winning technology uses a genome-editing method that enables scientists to cut any genetic material and modify gene function. Utilizing CRISPR, scientists from the Chinese Academy of Sciences have allegedly developed a new "controllable, reversible and safer" gene-editing approach. The system called Cas13d-N2V8 successfully reduced the number of off-target genes and didn’t cause any detectable collateral damage in cell lines and somatic cells. Before moving on with the new potential gene-editing method, let’s have a look at our video of the day to find out what happens when a bullet is fired on a wall built of 20,000 magnets. PS: Don’t try this at home. Good morning. I’m Mert, an Editor at IE. This is The Blueprint. Let’s get started. Last Sunday, Blueprint subscribers heard an exclusive interview with one of the scientists behind MIT’s faster boiling water breakthrough. And this week, premium subscribers hear from leading experts from around the world discuss whether animals go through break-ups. Don't miss out — [subscribe to IE+ today]( to receive exclusive interviews, features, and much more. [Play]VIDEO OF THE DAY [What happens when a bullet is fired on a wall of 20,000 magnets?]( [Magnet wall.]( What does it take to stop an AK-47 bullet? This video reveals all the answers and more. [Must Read]MUST READ [Researchers allegedly create a new 'controllable, reversible' gene-editing method in China]( [Gene therapy concept.]( [Gene therapy concept.]( metamorworks/iStock Scientists from the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) have allegedly developed a new "controllable, reversible and safer" [gene-editing approach]( using CRISPR technology. The system, named Cas13d-N2V8, showed a significant reduction in the number of off-target genes and no detectable collateral damage in cell lines and somatic cells, which indicated its future potential, according to a report published in South China Morning Post newspaper on Wednesday. The new approach using the Cas13 enzyme, targeting RNA, is safer because RNAs are transient molecules that only exist in the cell for a short period of time and are not integrated into the genome, the researchers claimed. → The technique involves CRISPR. The technique involves the use of Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) technology – a natural defense mechanism that allows bacterial cells to detect and destroy the viruses that attack them and has become one of the most commonly used gene-editing techniques in recent years. [READ MORE [Arrow]]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Linkedin]( [INNOVATION]INNOVATION [Raytheon’s hypersonic missile travels faster than five times the speed of sound in a test flight]( A [hypersonic cruise missile]( co-created by Raytheon Technologies has passed its second flight test in a row. This is an important step in the U.S. Department of Defense's plan to use weapons that can travel faster than five times the speed of sound. [READ MORE [Arrow]]( And Other Stories in Innovation - Australia turns [gold mine into physics lab]( to study dark matter. - Newly [3D print-produced ink]( may be used as a tattoo, study says. - A 23-year-old product designer invents a new kind of [table that generates electricity](. [SCIENCE]SCIENCE [A breakthrough study explains how chewing shaped human evolution]( The first stage of digestion begins with [chewing](. In fact, it is such an important step that experts emphasize the importance of chewing many times. So, the act of chewing has a great role in our lives. But what if this action kick-started the evolution of our ancestors millions of years ago? [READ MORE [Arrow]]( And Other Stories in Science - New study figures out why [mosquitos' targeting system]( is 'essentially unbreakable.' - In pictures: NASA’s [James Webb Space Telescope]( celebrated on World Photography Day. - [UFO studies]( are a high priority for NASA, says official. [MAIL & MUSINGS]MAIL & MUSINGS Genome editing has long been a disputatious topic. Do you think gene editing is safe? [It does not sound safe at all. Kinda scary even.]( [Yes. Humanity has achieved so many things that were considered risky once.]( [I’m not sure. But it definitely is a turning point in medicine.]( [No. This unethical approach will cause many risks.]( YESTERDAY'S RESULTS Following the allegations that Chinese scientists have developed a very small, very quiet anti-stealth radar, we asked what you think the anti-stealth radar is being developed for. Well, 94 percent of the participants believe it's for military purposes while 3 percent say "tracking civilian aircraft." 94% Military purposes 3% Tracking civilian aircraft 1% Something else entirely 1% Tech advancement [QUOTE OF THE DAY]QUOTE OF THE DAY “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” Arthur C. Clarke “Profiles of the Future” (1962) [THINGS WE LOVE]THINGS WE LOVE [image]( [Paxcess Robot Pool Cleaner]( [image]( [CindyLarry Portable Neck Fan]( [image]( [Wirsh Espresso Machine]( [image]( [Muzen Wild Mini Speaker]( [AND ANOTHER THING]AND ANOTHER THING - Sudden and fast [E. coli outbreak in the US]( prompts CDC investigation. - How do you take a [better image of atom clouds]( Mirrors — lots of mirrors. (Phys.org) - [Meta's metaverse mediocrity]( is obvious to everybody but Mark Zuckerberg. - AI-generated 'archi-creatures' from the future breathe life into [static architecture](. (designboom) - The [fastest unicycle]( in the world can surpass 87 mph. - [Huge megalithic complex]( of more than 500 standing stones discovered in Spain. (The Guardian) - Photos: Lincoln’s concept design ‘[Model L100]( feels out of this world. Prepared by Mert Erdemir and Baba Tamim Enjoy Reading? Forward this email to a friend. Was this email forwarded to you? [Join Free!]( [About Us]( [Advertise]( [Contact Us]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Youtube]( [Linkedin]( [Instagram]( You are receiving this email because you have subscribed to our newsletter. Manage you e-mail preferences or unsubscribe [here](. © Copyright 2022 | The Blueprint is by Interesting Engineering, Inc. 201 Spear Street, Suite 1100 San Francisco, CA 94105 | All Rights Reserved [Interesting Engineering]