LONDON - Scenic Biotech BV has signed up Genentech as first partner for its high-throughput platform for identifying genetic modifiers that can suppress or even completely block the effect of a disease-causing mutated gene, as starting points for drug discovery and development. Under the terms of the agreement, Scenic will identify modifiers in undisclosed therapeutic areas, with Genentech, part of the Roche Group, having an option to take multiple targets into development.

Researchers at the University of California at San Diego have used RNA-targeted CRISPR to reverse symptoms in an animal model of myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1). They reported their findings in the Sept. 14, 2020, issue of Nature Biomedical Engineering.

BioWorld looks at translational medicine.

BioWorld looks at translational medicine, including: Glial metabolism affects neural recovery; A tense defense.

LONDON – The international commission convened in the aftermath of Chinese scientist He Jiankui’s shock announcement of the birth of gene edited twins has set a possible course to approval of heritable gene editing, but said the technique is far from ready for use.