Using Gene Editing to Cure HIV with Daniel Dornbusch

TL;DR

Excision Biotherapeutics is utilizing CRISPR-based gene editing technology to potentially cure viral infectious diseases, such as HIV. Gene editing has the ability to modify or remove genes to treat diseases at their source, offering a new approach to traditional treatments.

Transcript

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Key Insights

• 🎯 Gene editing has the potential to revolutionize the treatment of viral infectious diseases by directly targeting and removing the viral DNA.
• 👻 Different gene editors, such as CRISPR-Cas9 and CRISPR-Cas12, have varying properties and applications, allowing for the development of customized therapies.
• 🌚 Gene editing for viral diseases like HIV has faced challenges in the past due to viral escape mechanisms and the difficulty of removing viral DNA, but newer approaches, such as making multiple cuts, offer promising results.
• 🦺 Safety and efficacy are key concerns in gene editing, and extensive preclinical and clinical testing is necessary to ensure the therapies are both effective and safe.
• 💅 The ability of gene editing to provide a potential cure for viral diseases like HIV has attracted attention from researchers, companies, and governments worldwide, with ongoing efforts to advance this technology.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is gene editing and how does it work?

Gene editing is the process of modifying or removing genes in the human genetic code. It involves using proteins, such as CRISPR-Cas9, to cut and alter specific DNA sequences in order to change gene function.

Q: How does CRISPR-Cas9 differ from other gene editing methods?

CRISPR-Cas9 is a newer and highly efficient gene editing tool that allows for precise gene modifications. It uses a guide RNA to target specific DNA sequences, and the Cas9 protein acts as a molecular scissor to cut the DNA at the desired location.

Q: How is Excision Biotherapeutics utilizing gene editing to cure viral diseases like HIV?

Excision Biotherapeutics is using gene editing to remove the HIV DNA from living animals. They deliver the CRISPR-Cas9 system into the cells, where it cuts out the viral DNA, effectively curing the animals of the infection. They hope to bring this approach to human clinical trials in the near future.

Q: How does gene editing differ from vaccines in treating viral infectious diseases?

Gene editing aims to remove the viral DNA from infected individuals, providing a potential cure. Vaccines, on the other hand, train the immune system to recognize and fight off specific viruses, preventing infection in the first place. Gene editing offers a more targeted approach for those already infected.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Gene editing is a method of modifying or removing genes in the human genetic code, and has been around for decades.

• Excision Biotherapeutics is using gene editing to remove viral infectious diseases, such as HIV, from living animals.

• Traditional treatments for viral diseases like HIV can control the infection, but do not offer a cure. Gene editing aims to remove the viral DNA to provide a potential cure.