The discovery of both CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) and associated proteins, the Cas nucleases, has revolutionized the field of gene-editing. Characterization of the role of the CRISPR-Cas system in pathogen detection, the immune response, and DNA repair mechanisms, has enabled this naturally occurring biological system to be harnessed and developed as a valuable research tool.
In this post, we highlight recent advancements in stem cells as treatment and study of autism to commemorate World Autism Awareness Day (2 April 2019).
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental disability that impairs the ability to communicate and relate to others. Affecting 1% of the world population, it is the most commonly diagnosed childhood developmental disorder. In 2018, Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported that rates of autism had increased to an estimated 1 in 59 children, up from 1 in 88 just six years ago.
