Gene editing has had a big week in the spotlight. Here’s what’s going on
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Category: genetics
The scientist studying how fugitive fetal cells may affect maternal health
Chimeras — fantastical creatures composed of different animal parts — have appeared across cultures representing…
Second recipient of genetically modified pig heart dies, six weeks after surgery
Nearly six weeks after his surgery, the world’s second recipient of a genetically modified pig…
Sarepta’s disappointing data put the FDA in a difficult spot
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Giant sloths and woolly mammoths: Mining past creatures’ DNA for future antibiotics
PHILADELPHIA — Cesar de la Fuente believes the next breakthrough antibiotic might come from animals…
Why AstraZeneca’s CEO is accusing British tabloids of ‘fake news’
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Why Biogen is purposefully becoming more risk averse, according to Biogen’s CEO
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He was named a MacArthur ‘genius’ fellow for research on gene regulation, but still has imposter syndrome
The youngest of this year’s class of MacArthur “genius grant” fellows, 35-year-old Jason Buenrostro was…
STAT+: EU orders Illumina to divest cancer diagnostics firm Grail
LONDON — European regulators on Thursday detailed their demands that Illumina divest the cancer diagnostics…
The major biotech news updates you need to read today
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Genetically altered pig heart transplanted into a human for the second time
In a new test of xenotransplantation, a medical team at the University of Maryland Medical…
STAT+: Thermo Fisher just opened a $180 million plant. Executives already are talking about expanding.
Thermo Fisher Scientific’s giant plant to manufacture gene therapies for drug companies is barely a year old,…
Opinion: A popular breast cancer genomic test underestimates risks for Black women
When a woman first learns she has breast cancer, her mind immediately floods with “what…
Opinion: The morally ground-shifting legacy of Ian Wilmut and Dolly the sheep
Ian Wilmut, the British scientist behind the first-ever cloning of a mammal, died Sept. 10,…
STAT+: Neurocrine Biosciences drug for congenital adrenal hyperplasia succeeds in late-stage trial
SAN DIEGO — Neurocrine Biosciences announced on Tuesday that an experimental drug for congenital adrenal…
STAT+: KRAS, the ideal cancer drug target that became ‘undruggable,’ takes on a new glow
On Target is a recurring feature from STAT that dives deep into the most promising…
A broad genetic test saved one newborn’s life. Research suggests it could help millions of others
CINCINNATI — Brynn Schulte nearly died twice when she was a baby, at one point…
An effort to diversify genetic research finds new variant for Parkinson’s disease in African populations
A group of Nigerian, British, and U.S. doctors have discovered a genetic variant that increases…
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STAT+: The first complete sequence of Y chromosome offers chance to solve longstanding genetic mysteries
Two years ago, when an international team of scientists announced it had finally sequenced and…
STAT+: Intellia plays down concerns about accidental germline transmission in CRISPR trial
Earlier this month, Intellia Therapeutics announced it was scrapping plans to include U.S.-based sites in…
Opinion: Medicare beneficiaries deserve access to genetic counselors
Precision medicine driven by genetic health care is knocking on the door. It offers hope…
STAT+: Schizophrenia gene found to be linked to energy dysfunction in brain cells
The heritable nature of schizophrenia has been known for about a century. But researchers are…
STAT+: DNA-sequencing giant Illumina slashes 2023 revenue projections yet again
SAN DIEGO — After starting off the year by lowering its 2023 revenue projections, San…
Meet the scientists trying to stop the next global pandemic from starting in Africa
Even experienced doctors could be fooled by this disease. A deadly hemorrhagic illness, it often…
‘Ancient DNA’ tools and 23andMe database uncover African American ancestries of thousands
New research that combines technology to sequence “ancient DNA” with direct-to-consumer genetic testing has identified…
Researchers seek answers to racial disparities for prostate and breast cancer among people of African ancestry
For almost 44 years, Willie Bell never missed his appointment to check for prostate cancer….
Genetic cheat code might explain why some people catch Covid but never get sick
In the earliest days of the Covid-19 pandemic, when the new coronavirus still appeared to…
Doctors use precision medicine to show melanoma drugs can shrink rare brain tumor by 90%
By going down to the molecular level, doctors have uncovered a way to treat tumors…
A young girl’s custom gene therapy hints at a framework for tailored rare disease treatments
When Timothy Yu developed milasen, a custom drug for a young girl named Mila with…
Opinion: Sickle cell cures are coming. African children can’t be left behind
The treatment of sickle cell disease is on the cusp of a historic breakthrough, with…
A new study of sick infants sees potential in DNA sequencing, but also a need for better ways to interpret the genome
There’s growing evidence that DNA sequencing can help diagnose the health care system’s youngest patients…
A rare disease has run through five generations of his family, so he’s built community for others
For Jack Johnson, getting diagnosed with Fabry disease at age 7 was more of a…
For Duchenne moms who pushed for cures, new breakthrough therapy can’t rebuild what’s lost
Pat Furlong was sitting in her home office in Middletown, Ohio, last Thursday, refreshing a…
STAT+: Illumina to lay off 10% of research and development team in bid to cut costs by $100 million
SAN DIEGO — Months after announcing plans to cut costs by $100 million, DNA sequencing…
Opinion: The FDA’s approval of a new gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy won’t help me — but it gives me hope
When I was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy 20 years ago, there was no hope….
STAT+: Francis deSouza’s tenure at Illumina is a lesson in how not to handle CEO succession
The sudden resignation of Francis deSouza as the CEO of Illumina Sunday represents anything but…
Following board fight, Francis deSouza resigns as Illumina CEO
Just two weeks after surviving an activist investor’s attempt to oust him from Illumina’s board,…
STAT+: Updated data show long-term benefits of CRISPR treatment for sickle cell, beta thalassemia
FRANKFURT — Updated results released Friday highlighted the lasting benefits of a CRISPR-based medicine for…
‘We arguably saved their lives’: Newborn DNA-sequencing reveals elevated cancer risks for parents
Ten years ago, clinicians in a handful of hospitals around the United States began sequencing…
STAT+: Illumina shareholders elect one Icahn ally to board, as company holds off broader challenge
Shareholders in the DNA-sequencing firm Illumina on Thursday voted to replace the company’s chairman with…
STAT+: Battle for the soul of Illumina is also a referendum on its CEO
On Thursday Illumina, the largest and most important maker of DNA sequencing technology, whose innovations…
STAT+: In its first tough test, CRISPR epigenome editing cuts cholesterol levels in monkeys
A defanged form of CRISPR, which doesn’t slice or nick DNA, but rather alters the…
STAT+: FDA approves first treatment for skin condition that causes persistent wounds, a redosable gene therapy
The Food and Drug Administration on Friday approved the first treatment for a devastating condition…
STAT+: FDA official offers insights into whether gene therapy makers could use common manufacturing process
WASHINGTON — A Food and Drug Administration official provided some insights this week into the…
Gene therapy death not caused by CRISPR, investigators confirm
Terry Horgan, the 27-year-old patient who died eight days after receiving a CRISPR therapy custom-built…
Study: Rare genetic mutation appears to have protected second person from early Alzheimer’s
For the second time in one extended family, researchers have identified a person who seemed…
Tracking the FDA advisory panel on Sarepta’s gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy
The Food and Drug Administration is convening a meeting of outside experts on Friday to…
Listen: Pharma vs. PBMs, Sarepta at the FDA, & a bold idea gone awry
Is there a Bermuda Triangle of drug prices? Do FDA advisers matter? And when should…
Human ‘pangenome’ published, with goal of making genomics more useful for diverse populations
An international team of scientists has assembled the first human “pangenome” — an attempt to…
STAT+: What to know about a pivotal FDA hearing on Sarepta’s gene therapy for Duchenne
On Friday, a committee of advisers to the Food and Drug Administration will meet to…