Growing and selection are crucial.
by Josh Conway – Lifespan.io
CRISPR is still imperfect
While the accuracy of genetic modification through the well-known CRISPR/Cas9 system continues to improve, the technology remains imperfect. Small mistakes were initially reported [1], and later researchers found that under certain circumstances, even large swaths of DNA can be excised by mistake [2].
Obviously, this is not ready for direct use in people, and stem cells grown outside the body face a similar problem. If undesirably mutated cells are produced after CRISPR is applied, they must be removed before the modified cells could be safely used as a therapy.
Researchers publishing in Cell Stem Cell have announced a new method of accurately and rapidly cloning genetically engineered stem cells.
