From: Bryan Bishop
To: J <jeevacation@gmail.com>, Bryan Bishop >
Subject: Chinese edited embryos are mosaic...
Date: Mon, 26 Nov 2018 15:56:18 +0000
I am sure you have seen the news. Short version of the core technical problem, there's high mosaicism because of
their technique, meaning only a low percentage of cells in the body have any of the modifications.
https://www.technologyreview.corn/s/612458/exclusive-chinese-scientists-are-creating-crispr-babies/
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-11-26/urgent-ap-exc lusive-first-gene-edited-babies-claimed-in-
china
https://www.technologyreview.corn/s/612465/crispr-inventor-feng-zhang-calls-for-moratorium-on-baby-making/
My team has been working on a new technique which does not involve stem cells in the testis, instead it's an
embryo editing technique more similar to cloning which does not require an injection to the biodad. The idea hit
us like a bolt of lightning so we're moving along in that direction.
Meanwhile our overseas lab has reported some mouse testis transfection results. They are observing maybe 5%
transfection efficiency, which might be enough, further testing is ongoing. But ultimately this method is inferior
to our new embryo modification technique.
Talk soon.
- Bryan
EFTA01015526