Each week, we review the latest genetics research and share the most interesting stories with you every Sunday. In this issue, we look at genetics research published between 30 August and 6 September 2025.
Key Topics:
This Gene editing tool will outrank the CRISPR-Cas9:
The team led by Leifu Chang at the Purdue Institute of Cancer Research postulated a model for the new gene editing tool called T7-like transposon-mediated gene therapy. They showed in their series of modeling papers how this tool is more efficient and accurate than CRISPR.
CRISPR basically inserts or performs editing by introducing a cut in the DNA sequence. It works efficiently for bacteria in their natural system. But when it comes to humans, our well-established repair system tries to repair it and introduce the mutation unintentionally.
Thus, it has side effects; we already covered this shortcoming in our video. On the contrary, the T7-like transposon system works on the cut-and-paste mechanism.
Transposons are mobile genetic elements that can jump from one location to another in our genome. The T7 copies a gene and inserts it at a target location. However, we don’t have molecular and machinery information regarding T7 gene editing now!
But it will be available soon. You can explore the complete article from here: Blueprints for a molecular machine more powerful than CRISPR.
The longevity Epigenetic atlas for various tissues has just been released:
The team of scientists led by Nir Eynon investigated 15,000 samples and 9,00,000 DNA sites for DNA methylation changes from 17 different human tissues to show how age-related epigenetic changes occur in different tissues.
DNA methylation is an important epigenetic marker associated with longevity and aging. DNA methylation turns on or off genes based on the signals it gets. You can visit our article to read more.
Their meta-analysis showed some interesting yet shocking results. Some tissues age faster than others. For instance, the retina and stomach have higher age-related methylation changes compared to other tissues.
Explore their complete scientific study from here: DNA methylation aging atlas across 17 human tissues.
A shark with an orange color:
Some fishermen from Costa Rica saw a very unusual orange shark while fishing. A team of marine biologists immediately visited the site. Naranjo, the co-author of the paper, explained the genetics behind it.
He explained that it happens when two mutations, albinism and xanthism, occur together. Albinism stops the production of pigments, while xanthism develops a yellow or orange color.
Bright colors like orange are not a good adaptation for sharks, in general. It can easily appear. But this orange color specifically appears in the shark present in the muddy water.
So it naturally camouflages into the muddy water, which actually helps it in better hunting. However, scientists are still unaware whether it is just a genetic glitch or a useful evolutionary trait.
You can read their complete research paper here: First record case of free living xanthism in the nurse shark Ginglymostoma cirratum from the Caribbean Sea.
The world’s oldest bacteria are found:
Scientists identified bacteria older than one million years from the bones and teeth of an ancient mammoth. Using the metagenomics sequencing technique, a recent study published in the journal Cell, the world’s oldest microbial DNA sequence has been recovered.
483 mammoth teeth, bone or skull samples were investigated and 310 microbial species were identified. They also identified bacteria associated with the death of several African elephants during 2020 and postulated that these bacteria could have infected the ancestors of these mammoths.
Such studies help scientists understand the host microbial interaction and their survival, particularly in animals. This is yet another milestone in the field of ancient DNA studies.
You can read the complete article from here: A Mammoth Toothache: bacterial community discovered in the mouth of ancient mammals.
A new technique emerged to study the mRNA:
mRNA is a highly dynamic and fragile molecule. Hence, it is difficult to study. A study published in the Journal Nature Genetics used a technique known as metabolic pulse-chase labeling.
Scientists basically used this technique to understand the role of mRNA instability and autoimmune disease. In this technique, the newly synthesized mRNA is chemically labeled and its entire life cycle has been tracked using the mRNA tracking software.
In this way, scientists can accurately investigate gene expression and gain important insight into epigenetic understanding.
You can read the original article to learn more: Autoimmune diseases risk linked to mRNA instability.
Wrapping up:
That’s it!
These are some genetic studies from this week that we find interesting and fascinating. You can read more stories and news on our blog and subscribe to Genetic Education for weekly genetic insights and research.
