Genetically modifying individual cells in animals
Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a method that lets them genetically modify each cell differently in animals. This allows them to study in a single experiment what used to require many animal experiments. Using the new method, the researchers have discovered genes that are relevant for a severe rare genetic disorder.
In brief
- Researchers combined the modification of many genes in living adult animals using the CRISPR-Cas gen scissors with the subsequent analysis of single cells.
- This lets them switch off different genes in the individual cells of an organ, thus creating a mosaic of genetically different cells, and study the effects.
- The method simplifies and accelerates animal research and is particularly suitable for studying diseases with complex genetic causes.