Montana State scientists’ research on RNA editing illuminates possible lifesaving treatments for genetic diseases

A team at Montana State University published research this week that shows how RNA, the close chemical cousin to DNA, can be edited using CRISPRs. The work reveals a new process in human cells that has potential for treating a wide variety of genetic diseases. 

Postdoctoral researchers Artem Nemudryi and Anna Nemudraia conducted the research alongside Blake Wiedenheft, professor in the Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology in MSU’s College of Agriculture. The paper, titled “Repair of CRISPR-guided RNA breaks enables site-specific RNA excision in human cells,” was published online Thursday in the journal Science and constitutes the latest advance in the team’s ongoing exploration of CRISPR applications for programmable genetic engineering.