DNA-editing studies could help prevent thousands of genetic diseases

Scientific studies have demonstrated advances in the ability to ‘edit’ genetic code – a process which could eventually treat thousands of diseases and conditions.

Two studies, both undertaken at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, showed off the ability to re-write DNA and edit RNA, a genetic material related to DNA.

The breakthrough could eventually help to prevent genetic diseases and mutations, and provide a ‘cure’ for the likes of cystic fibrosis and genetically-inherited blindness.

Tools called base editors, which can alter the building blocks of DNA, are key to the studies.

"We are hard at work trying to translate base editing technology into human therapeutics,” says Broad Institute professor David Liu, adding that there’s a way to go yet before the technology will have real-world application.

“Having a machine that can make the change you want to make is only the start. You still need to do all this other work, but having the machine really helps.”

Potentially thousands of diseases caused by single ‘typos’ in the genetic code could eventually be treated with the technology.

One study showed the ability to edit RNA in order change inherited anaemia in human cells.