Post by Akribion Therapeutics

Exciting to see how rapidly this new area of CRISPR biology is evolving. Following the recent Nature publication from the Akribion Therapeutics-led team on RNA-triggered programmable cell depletion using Cas12a2 nucleases (https://lnkd.in/d_TrRE9M), it is inspiring to now also see complementary work emerging from the lab of Nobel Laureate Jennifer Doudna on a follow-up nature publication utilizing the Cas12a2 technology (https://lnkd.in/dgKjFKGd). What makes this especially remarkable is the growing convergence of independent groups around the same broader therapeutic concept: harnessing RNA-triggered collateral nuclease activity as a fundamentally new modality for selective cell elimination. Importantly, the initial collaborative efforts between the Utah research teams and Akribion helped establish some of the first translational and in-vivo demonstrations for this CRISPR mechanism in mammalian systems. This probably provides an early foundation for what is now becoming a rapidly advancing field. Seeing additional high-level studies now emerge around Cas12a2 systems is therefore highly encouraging. It reinforces the view that this fascinating biology may have broad relevance across oncology and potentially many other diseases where selective depletion of pathogenic cells could become transformative. This is exactly how breakthrough fields develop: through independent validation, complementary innovation, and the collective efforts of outstanding scientific teams. Very exciting times ahead for CRISPR therapeutics. #CRISPR #GeneEditing #Biotech #PrecisionMedicine #Oncology #TranslationalScience #Nature #DeepTech