New method to reveal what drives brain diseases

The brain is often referred to as a 'black box'-- one that's difficult to peer inside and determine what's happening at any given moment. This is part of the reason why it's difficult to understand the complex interplay of molecules, cells and genes that underlie neurological disorders. But a new CRISPR screen method has the potential to uncover new therapeutic targets and treatments for these conditions.

Thanks to over a decade's efforts in human genetics, scientists have had access to long lists of genetic changes that contribute to a range of human illnesses, but knowing how a gene causes a disease is very different than knowing how to treat the illness itself. Every risk gene may impact one or several different cell types.

Previously, the method for introducing the genetic perturbations into the brain tissue was very slow, often taking days or even weeks, which created suboptimal conditions for studying gene functions related to neurodevelopment. But Jin's new screening method allows for rapid expression of perturbation agents in living cells within 48 hours -- meaning scientists can quickly see how specific genes function in different types of cells in a very short amount of time.

With her new technology in hand, Jin plans to apply it to better understand neuropsychiatric conditions and how certain cell types correspond with various brain regions. Moving forward, Jin says she's excited to see this type of technology applied to additional cell types in other organs in the body to better understand a wide range of diseases in terms of tissue, development and aging.Xinhe Zheng, Boli Wu, Yuejia Liu, Sean K. Simmons, Kwanho Kim, Grace S.

Brain Tumor Sickle Cell Anemia Nervous System Brain Injury Neuroscience Disorders And Syndromes Brain-Computer Interfaces

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