gene editing

Researchers report that epigenetic editing can silence hepatitis B virus, effectively banishing it rather than merely suppressing it. The approach targets the virus's gene activity without cutting DNA, offering a possible route toward a functional cure for a infection that affects hundreds of millions and is a leading cause of liver cancer. Readers are discussing the promise and hurdles before human use.

Researchers report engineering a compact CRISPR enzyme with a 60-fold increase in gene-editing power. The mini enzyme, if validated, could make gene therapies more efficient with smaller delivery vehicles, a key limitation in current CRISPR treatments. Coverage in the biology community highlights the size-and-strength tradeoff as a notable advance for therapeutic and research applications.