Stanford University scientists are actively exploring whether gene-editing technology can be used to fight epidemics, but so far, they have only solved a small part of the mystery.
The university's bioengineering department conducted an experiment in which they used genetically manipulated Crispr technology fights against new coronaviruses.
The Stanley Qi laboratory has mastered the Crispr core technology that interferes with cancer cells and treats diseases. It uses "PAC-MAN (Human Cell Preventive Anti-Virus Crispr Technology)" to attack virus cells through "guided Crispr torpedo".
This method can destroy the viral genes to make up, penetrate human cells, and then use cell mechanisms to replicate themselves.
In this particular experiment, the laboratory's Crispr technology system was used to search for and destroy the new coronavirus and put it in a solution containing the inert synthetic fragments of the virus.
Like all Crispr technology systems, the system consists of two parts: An enzyme and "guide RNA".
RNA guides an enzyme substance called "Cas-13d" to attach to a specific point in the genome of the new coronavirus, and then performs a series of cuts. One can think of Crispr as a pair of scissors and then remove only the new coronavirus.
The results show that Crispr therapy targeting new coronavirus can reduce the number of viruses in the solution by 90%.
Researchers believe that if the program can be effectively implemented, the sterilization rate is sufficient to prevent human infection with new coronavirus.
The above research report indicates that at present we may be entering an era of "new weapons" based on Crispr technology, used to combat deadly viruses such as influenza and coronavirus.
PAC-MAN technology may be a rapidly implemented pan-coronavirus strategy to respond to Emerging pandemic strains.
Objectively speaking, the latest research report of the Stanford University research team is a blueprint, or a proof of concept, without clinical actual drug treatment of animals or human bodies.
There are some important unknown factors in the project, including their failure to Of new coronavirus patients undergo PAC-MAN testing.
They have not yet developed a system for implanting human cells. Even if the method is effective, there is still a long way to go to achieve clinical testing.
Frankly speaking, the method will be tested in humans within the next 4-6 months the probability is zero.
This is equivalent to if we try to reach the moon and return safely, we need to build a space rocket in advance and be able to reach the escape speed.
Laurie Zoloth, a senior consultant on social ethics at the University of Chicago, said: "In the history of human development, every major scientific breakthrough has surpassed the science and technology at that time, for example isolation and quarantine technology developed in the 13th century, medical innovation in the 17th-century Vaccination technology in the 18th century.
Crispr is a brand-new technology that has not been proven in human diseases, but it should be functional, which is logical. "
The gene-editing capabilities of Crispr technology will be increasingly used to treat diseases, initially only for genetic diseases, but in recent years, it has been used to treat infectious diseases, including new coronaviruses that are currently ravaging the world.
Crispr's technical solutions for true prevention or treatment of new coronaviruses are also used in projects for the treatment of influenza and other infectious viruses.
In 2018, the US Department of Defense's Advanced Research Agency began a 4-year "preparatory program" based on the proposed program content, using genetic methods to generate new medical strategies for treating human patients.
The Stanley Qi laboratory is one of the research groups engaged in the design of the Crispr program. In April 2019, they began to study an influenza treatment method based on Crispr technology. One point, and in late January, the focus of research will be shifted to viruses that change people's lifestyles.
There are huge challenges to deal with this particular virus. The new coronavirus has 30,000 nucleotides, and the Crispr technology guide RNA can only cut the 22-nucleotide region.
In order to locate the optimal attack position, a large amount of Bioinformatics calculations and experiments.
Researchers claim that this treatment is itself a double gene attack, which will directly affect the targeted virus.
The first effect is to reduce the concentration of viral genomes in human cells, and the second effect is to prevent the production of viral proteins, thereby preventing the virus from replicating itself and destroying the body's defense system.
So far, the biggest problem is that the researchers did not actually use the new coronavirus in the experiment because they could not obtain the virus sample and did not obtain government authorization.
The Stanley Qi laboratory has created a synthetic, non-replicating virus with the gene expression characteristics of a new coronavirus, which is used to replace the real new coronavirus.
The Stanford University research team believes that even if the real new coronavirus is not tested, their research results are very important.
The test results show that we can intervene in certain areas of the virus, which will not only stay in the conceptual stage, and will eventually be fast Form a treatment plan.
But other researchers say that in order to prove that humans can eliminate the new coronavirus, they must use real virus samples for testing.
Another problem is that there is currently no virus delivery system based on Crispr.
A continuing problem in the Crispr medical solution is how to apply medical treatment to appropriate cells.
The lung is the target of the new coronavirus, and the lung is a special the tricky battlefield-drugs are relatively difficult to enter and are filled with mucus, which may interfere with targeted therapy.
Researchers said that although there are many potential treatment options, but so far has not found the use of PAC-MAN technology to cause RNA to virus, perhaps someone has found a solution to this problem, they may have efficient drug delivery methods.
Professor St. Angelo led a Georgia Tech research team to establish cooperation with many universities.
They believe that a nebulizer therapy can be used. It is a nebulized inhalation device and patients can breathe based on Crispr technology.
Currently, they are conducting a nebulizer / Crispr combination therapy test on mice.
Finally, the research report pointed out that the use of Crispr technology as a "preventive strategy" for the treatment of new coronaviruses means that the therapy can keep uninfected people away from the virus, but Crispr is a relatively new medical technology.
There are 3 cases of Crispr human trials approved by the United States Drug Administration (FDA).
Although the treatment was not found to cause health damage to the patient, the researchers were very cautious.
Early trials of introducing transgenic cells into the human body caused malignant inflammation, and in some cases, even death.
This is one of the problems that needs to be solved urgently. If your immune system does not accept this protein, it may be used as a treatment to better balance risks and rewards.
Ultimately, like any new treatment, Crispr preventive therapy for viral infections still needs to be tested on animals and humans before passing the FDA's rigorous review process.
Nonetheless, this paper may one day be regarded as a milestone event.
The ultimate hope of Crispr-based technology system is that once a new viral gene target is determined, changing the previous treatment is a simpler process, and Can be achieved quickly.
Maybe in the future our system will not know which virus to deal with. All you have to do is to change a simple part, and then you can truly resist this new virus, but still need FDA approval for any new use of this therapy.
This latest research suggests that perhaps when the next virus pandemic comes, we will have more weapons than current vaccines and drugs to deal with it.
Special Report: Fighting The New Coronavirus
