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If these cells exist in humans and can be propagated indefinitely as they can in mice, they could have enormous therapeutic potential.

Quote (PkStart @ Apr 16 2025 11:50am)

Revive the thylacine and Moa

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First, our team screened various miniature CRISPR systems in plant cells, identifying the compact enzyme ISYmu1 as our most effective gene-editing tool.

We then engineered the tobacco rattle virus to carry this tiny editor and used a natural soil bacterium to introduce the virus into Arabidopsis thaliana plants. Once inside, the virus spread throughout the plants, delivering the CRISPR system wherever it traveled.

Successful editing produced a clear visual marker—affected areas turned white, including seedlings, confirming the edits reached reproductive cells. Since plants naturally block viruses from entering seeds, only the DNA modification gets transmitted to the seeds and inherited by the next generation.

So, in one step and in just one generation, this system allows for the creation of perfectly normal plants except for the single intended DNA change.