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Health

CRISPR engineered viruses could render other viruses harmless

A virus engineered using CRISPR technology spread its DNA to other viruses in mice, causing them to become harmless

By Michael Le Page

29 December 2023

So-called gene drives could work for DNA viruses, such as herpes

fotograzia/Getty Images

A virus genetically engineered to spread its DNA to other viruses via CRISPR gene editing has done exactly that in tests in mice. The hope is that these viruses could alter others, such as herpes, in a way that prevents them from causing symptoms.

“It’s a new technology,” says team member Marius Walter at the Fred Hutch Cancer Center in Seattle, Washington. “Can we bring it to people? That’s a long way ahead, we have a lot of work…

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