The results of a 24-year collaborative study was published last week in PNAS.
What are the talking points?
Myocilin and CRISPR-Cas9 (stay with me).
Myocilin and CRISPR-Cas9 (stay with me).
Myocilin is a protein found in the trabecular meshwork and it has long been established that a mutation in this protein causes elevated IOP.
In this study, scientists found that editing the gene that makes this protein using a method called CRISPR-Cas9, prevented glaucoma in mice.
Why is the research community freaking out about CRISPR-Cas9?
Because it carries the potential to edit genes in humans and prevent a disease, all non-invasively.
(For a great animation on how CRSIPR-Cas9 works, watch this.)
The authors say this could translate into a new therapy for treating open angle glaucoma. The more we know, the closer we get to eliminating the disease. (via)
