In a groundbreaking development, researchers from New York University, Columbia Engineering, and the New York Genome Center have combined the powers of artificial intelligence (AI) and CRISPR to achieve precise control over gene expression. This research, published in Nature Biotechnology, explores the use of RNA-targeting CRISPRs, which target RNA instead of DNA, to regulate human genes in various ways.

Think of it like playing with light switches and dimmer knobs, but for genes. The team developed a deep learning model called TIGER (Targeted Inhibition of Gene Expression via guide RNA design) that was trained on data from CRISPR screens. TIGER was able to predict both on-target and off-target activity, surpassing previous models and providing the first tool for predicting the off-target activity of RNA-targeting CRISPRs.

The study opens up exciting possibilities for CRISPR-based therapies. RNA-targeting CRISPRs have a broad range of applications, including RNA editing, blocking the expression of specific genes, and high-throughput screening for potential drug candidates. By maximizing the activity on the intended target RNA and minimizing activity on other RNAs, researchers can avoid detrimental side effects. This is especially important as one in five mutations in human populations are insertions or deletions, making them crucial considerations for CRISPR design. (Read more here)

The researchers also demonstrated that TIGER's off-target predictions can be used to finely tune gene dosage, allowing for partial inhibition of gene expression. This could be useful in conditions where gene overexpression contributes to diseases like Down syndrome, certain forms of schizophrenia, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, or cancers with aberrant gene expression.

With this integration of AI and CRISPR, the possibilities for RNA-targeting therapies are expanding rapidly. The ability to predict off-target activity and precisely modulate gene expression opens the door to a new generation of therapies that could revolutionize biomedicine. As technology advances and larger datasets become available, the potential for sophisticated machine learning models in CRISPR research continues to grow. So, get ready for a future where we can play gene DJ, spinning the knobs and switches to fine-tune our genetic symphony.

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🌊 Underwater Oil Leak Detective

New Lidar System Makes Waves

In a groundbreaking development, researchers have unveiled a new single-photon Raman lidar system that can detect and monitor underwater oil leaks. But this isn't your typical snooze-fest scientific equipment - this lidar system is ready to dive deep and make a splash.

Led by the brilliant Mingjia Shangguan from Xiamen University in China, the team has developed a compact and energy-efficient lidar system that can remotely distinguish various substances underwater. And here's the catch - it can detect the thickness of oil up to a whopping 12 meters away! Forget about playing detective with magnifying glasses; we've got a high-tech oil spill inspector on the case.

The potential applications of this ingenious system are vast. It could be mounted on underwater vehicles to monitor oil leaks in pipelines, saving us from slippery messes and environmental disasters. But that's not all - this lidar system could also help us explore the vast depths of the ocean, uncover precious resources, and even detect different types of seafloor sediments like coral reefs.

The secret sauce behind this revolutionary technology lies in its single-photon detection. By incorporating this super-sensitive detection method, the lidar system achieves unprecedented levels of sensitivity, capable of detecting even the tiniest traces of substances in the water. It's like having a superhero sense of smell, but for underwater chemicals.

Traditionally, lidar systems have been limited in their underwater capabilities, often bulky and power-hungry. But this new single-photon Raman lidar system breaks the mold. With a compact size of just 40 cm long and a diameter of 20 cm, it's a lean, mean underwater-scanning machine. And it only requires a minuscule amount of energy - a mere 1 μJ of pulse energy to be exact.

The researchers put their creation to the test, submerging it in a pool and challenging it with varying thicknesses of gasoline oil in a quartz cell. And boy, did it deliver! The lidar system flawlessly detected and distinguished all thicknesses of gasoline, ranging from a mere 1 mm to a hearty 15 mm. It's like having an oil spill sniffer dog, but without the fur and wet nose. (Read more here)

But the scientists aren't stopping there. They're already working on enhancing the system's detection capabilities, aiming to increase the number of detection channels and the Raman spectral resolution. With these improvements, the lidar system could soon analyze underwater bubble types, detect corals, and even spot manganese nodules. It's like having an all-in-one marine explorer and scientist in your pocket!

So, get ready to bid adieu to underwater oil leaks and welcome our new aquatic detective. With this single-photon Raman lidar system, we're diving into a future where underwater monitoring is a piece of cake.