embryo, genetics & genomics

The modification of three babies’ genes by He Jiankui drew widespread criticism from scientists.

After the reported birth of CRISPRed babies in China, experts want to take time to consider the scientific, social, ethical, and philosophical consequences of editing heritable human DNA.

Since He Jiankui presented his results at last week’s gene editing summit, researchers have raised concerns about his protocol, calling the procedure “amateurish” and “unconscionable.”

Despite a premature and ethically sketchy claim of genome editing in twin girls, an outright prohibition could blunt promising, responsible progress.

He Jiankui says he has successfully used CRISPR-Cas9 to tweak the genes of twins born earlier this month. Some independent experts are dubious.

The bipaternal pups died soon after birth, but mice with two mothers grew into fertile adults.

Methylation patterns at so-called metastable epialleles in the genome stamp a memory into each of our cells.

One lab finds that a similar method produces large genetic deletions when performed in mouse embryos.

Researchers recently used CRISPR single-guide RNAs to alter genes involved in pigmentation in frog embryos.

The approach, which has never before been successfully attempted in primates, could lead to improved animal models for human biology and disease.

New technologies reveal the dynamic changes in mouse and human embryos during the first week after fertilization.

The switch from maternal factors involves dynamic reprogramming of the zygotic genome.

Researchers use base-editing to swap out an erroneous nucleotide responsible for a potentially life-threatening blood disorder.

OCT4 is necessary for blastocyst formation in the human embryo, researchers report.

Scientists correct a mutation in fertilized eggs that causes a severe cardiac disease.

The embryos, whose genes were altered by CRISPR, were not intended for implantation. 

Transfer RNA fragments prevent jumping genes from hopping around in the mouse embryo, when histone methylation can’t do the job.

For the second time, researchers use CRISPR to modify the genomes of nonviable embryos.