The hottest Gene Therapy Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

The New Eugenics Movement - Part 1

Arkmedic's blog • 4658 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
🏥 Health Politics Gene Therapy
  1. The judiciary, influenced by eugenicists, normalized forced genetic therapy as a societal condition.
  2. Utilitarianism, used for 'the greater good,' erodes individual rights and can lead to tyranny.
  3. The next step from gene therapy is CRISPR gene editing, aiming for genetic perfection for the elite.

A Visual Guide to Gene Delivery

Asimov Press • 335 implied HN points • 28 Jul 25
🔬 Science Gene Therapy
  1. Gene therapies are designed to fix problems caused by genetic mutations, and there are many delivery methods available to target these issues. The choice of delivery method depends on how the gene needs to be delivered and what condition is being treated.
  2. Two common types of gene therapies are _ex vivo_ (where cells are modified outside the body and then put back) and _in vivo_ (where the therapy is delivered directly into the body). Each has its own advantages based on the target cells and diseases.
  3. When choosing a gene delivery vehicle, factors like how much genetic material can be delivered, the ability to target specific cells, and immune responses need to be carefully considered to ensure effective and safe therapy.

Technology indistinguishable from magic

Wrong Side of History • 470 implied HN points • 31 Dec 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Gene Therapy
  1. Medical technology has advanced a lot recently. Many serious diseases, like diabetes and HIV, are now much easier to treat than before.
  2. New treatments for conditions such as schizophrenia and allergies are being developed, showing promise for better ways to help people who suffer from these issues.
  3. Innovations like gene therapy and cancer vaccines are changing how we approach some of the most challenging health problems, potentially offering cures or significantly improved treatments.

Weekly Dose of Optimism #147

Not Boring by Packy McCormick • 92 implied HN points • 06 Jun 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Gene Therapy
  1. Exercise helps cancer patients live longer after treatment, showing that staying active is super important for health.
  2. New cancer treatments like cilta-cel are showing promise, with some patients achieving long-term remission after just one treatment.
  3. Neuralink is making waves with its brain-computer interface tech, aiming to improve healthcare for conditions like blindness and paralysis.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Forge Biologics

axialdaily • 19 implied HN points • 05 Apr 23
💼 Business Gene Therapy
  1. Forge Biologics is a gene therapy manufacturing company in Ohio led by Tim Miller.
  2. They have one of the largest AAV manufacturing facilities with collaborations with other companies.
  3. Forge Biologics aims to increase biomanufacturing capacity and focuses on treating Krabbe Disease.

In vivo photoreceptor base editing ameliorates rhodopsin-E150K autosomal-recessive retinitis pigmentosa in mice

Axial • 14 implied HN points • 23 Nov 24
🔬 Science Gene Therapy
  1. Researchers are using CRISPR technology to fix a genetic mutation that causes a type of blindness in mice. This mutation is in the rhodopsin gene, which is important for vision.
  2. Timing is really important for the treatment to be effective. Treating mice earlier resulted in better preservation of their eyesight compared to treating them later.
  3. Despite progress, there are challenges in translating this therapy for humans. The mutation is rare, making it tough to conduct clinical trials, and the therapy needs further development for success.

How to Engineer Therapeutic AAVs

LatchBio • 15 implied HN points • 14 Nov 24
🔬 Science Gene Therapy
  1. Adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) are used for gene therapy because they can deliver therapeutic genes safely without causing disease in humans. They're like little delivery trucks that send important genetic information to specific parts of the body.
  2. Dyno Therapeutics created a new version of AAV called Dyno bCap1, which is much better at getting to the brain and avoiding the liver, showcasing how engineering can significantly improve these therapies.
  3. By using machine learning, scientists can design better AAVs by predicting how changes in their structure affect their ability to deliver genes. This makes the process smarter and helps create more effective treatments.

Setting the Scene for Genetic Breakthroughs

Superfluid • 13 implied HN points • 15 Mar 23
🔬 Science Gene Therapy
  1. Gene therapy has the potential to treat and cure genetic diseases, but it is a complex process requiring expertise in biology and manufacturing.
  2. The gene therapy value chain involves steps like target identification, payload design, delivery vehicle design, translation development, manufacturing, and clinical trials.
  3. Companies are working on breakthroughs in gene therapy technology, such as improving AAV vectors and refining CRISPR-Cas9 systems, but face challenges in experimental processes and data availability.

Biotech Week in Review - 05-12-2023

Engineering the Future • 0 implied HN points • 15 May 23
🔬 Science Gene Therapy
  1. DNA storage in hydrogels can last 1000 years, showing potential for efficient information storage.
  2. Mapping the human pangenome with 47 people aids in understanding genetic diversity and phenotypes.
  3. A single genetic mutation in ants created a 'supergene' impacting social organization, hinting at collective behavior research possibilities.