Genetic alterations that give rise to a rare, fatal disorder known as MOGS-CDG paradoxically also protect cells against infection by viruses. Now, scientists at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University have harnessed this unusual protective ability in a novel gene-editing strategy aimed at eliminating HIV-1 infection with no adverse effects on cell mortality. The new approach is described online in the journal Molecular Therapy – Nucleic Acids and is led by co-corresponding authors Kamel Khalili, PhD, Laura H. Carnell Professor and Chair of the Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Inflammation; Director of the Center for Neurovirology and Gene Editing; and Director of the Comprehensive NeuroAIDS Center at the Katz School of Medicine; and Rafal Kaminski, PhD, Assistant Professor at the Center for Neurovirology and Gene Editing at the Katz School of Medicine. Dr. Kaminski, Dr. Khalili, and Tricia H. Burdo, PhD, Professor and Vice Chair in the Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Inflammation and the Center for Neurovirology and Gene Editing at Temple and an expert in the use of non-human primate models for HIV-1, have been working together to further assess the efficacy and safety of CRISPR-MOGS strategy in preclinical studies. Outlets, including Scienmag, Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News and the Science Advisory Board, covered the findings.
800-TEMPLE-MED
Schedule Appointment
SEARCH TEMPLE HEALTH