University scientists in Chicago have developed a new nanostructure that triples CRISPR’s ability to enter cells, potentially unlocking even more power to treat genetic diseases.
With the power to rewrite the genetic code that underlies countless diseases, CRISPR holds immense promise to revolutionize medicine.
Now, Northwestern University chemists have unveiled a new type of nanostructure that dramatically improves CRISPR delivery and potentially extends its scope of utility.
CRISPR machinery cannot enter cells by itself. It always needs a delivery vehicle. Called ‘lipid nanoparticle spherical nucleic acids’ (LNP-SNAs), these tiny structures carry the full set of CRISPR editing tools—like Cas9 enzymes.
They’re wrapped in a dense, protective shell of DNA that dictates which organs and