Current technology evolving related to cells (Such as CRISPR)

Cell science does not only have to do with observing life. Researchers are also editing, engineering, and innovating related technologies. Cell technologies are constantly evolving, allowing us to have a better understanding of cellular systems. These new modern technologies could further help advance medicine, benefiting our quality of life. 

CRISPR is a gene editing technology, essentially acting as a scissor. This allows scientists to precisely cut and modify parts of DNA. These cuts allow specific bits of the gene code to be removed, added, or replaced. This technology started with the Cas9 scissor system, which was powerful but also could be messy. There could be unintended changes when the cell tries to repair the cut.

Now, scientists are going beyond just the cutting. The newer versions of CRISPR are much more refined. Instead of simply snipping the DNA and waiting for the cell to fix it correctly, it now rewrites the genetic material without making a full cut.

The way that the technology works is that scientists create a guide RNA that matches exactly what they are trying to target. This guide RNA, gRNA, is attached to the CRISPR protein, which is Cas9. There is a complex scan done until it finds the DNA match, with the gRNA pairing with the target DNA. Then, the Cas9 protein slices both strands of the DNA at that exact location. Scientists can manipulate the repair process. This includes allowing the cell to patch the DNA imperfectly, disabling the harmful gene, or changing out the patch of DNA, inserting a new gene code. However, this could lead to errors so, to minimize these mistakes, modern day technology can directly change a letter in the sequence without cuts. CRISPR started off acting as scissors but is now able to accurately, consistently edit DNA without risky breaks. This can improve the overall quality of life, being able to fix disease causing mutations in people’s DNA.

microfluidic device, which manipulates small amounts of fluid in channels thinner than human hair. This is extremely precise and speedy.

Another innovative technology is a microfluidic device, which manipulates small amounts of fluid in channels thinner than human hair. This is extremely precise and speedy. The cell analysis aspect of this device works by first, allowing for cells to go through microscopic channels. Then, sensors pick up on properties such as size and shape. The targeted cells are isolated using hydrodynamic forces, which steer the fluids, or dielectrophoresis, which are electric fields gently moving cells. Another way this device works is by mimicking human organs, using live cells to outline micro chambers relevant to the targeted organ. This creates living miniature models of human physiology. With this, scientists could monitor cell behavior in real time, observing the responses to drugs or toxins in a controlled environment. This device is useful since it only needs small sample sizes, such as a drop of blood or fluid, which is good when resources are scarce. Since these channels are so small, everything also happens very quickly, which can be practical. While being practical in these ways, it is also extremely precise, being able to handle and measure each cell accurately. Overall, this can be used for testing how drugs can affect specific cells or organs, while helping hospitals also be able to get faster medical treatments with results.

Induced pluripotent stem cells, iPSCs, are adult cells reprogrammed back to their embryonic-like pluripotent state. In simpler terms, this means they regain the ability to differentiate, or turn into, any cell type in the body. You can take an adult cell, reset it, and give it the capability to become heart cells, brain cells, or anything else needed. Scientists discovered they can give specific instructions to cells such as skin cells or blood cells. In doing so, this would turn them back into pluripotent, undifferentiated cells. However, the old methods were inefficient and unreliable, sometimes even changing the cell’s DNA. Recently, this method has been getting much better, meaning researchers are developing faster, better techniques. These iPSCs can now be created more reliably and safely, transforming research and treatment options. 

Once the iPSCs are made, you can turn them into any cell type you need. Scientists can now mimic the signals cells receive when developing into a specialized form. Different growth factors can be added, along with signaling molecules. Cells do not develop isolated. Instead, they grow in spherical structures called spheroids. The dish allows cells to interact with one another, growing into a more mature version of the cells. To ensure functionality, scientists can test if the cells actually behave like the real thing.