Scientists at the University of California, San Francisco aim to cure Alzheimer’s disease using new technology. The research focuses on microglia, a type of cell that stabilizes the brain by getting rid of damaged neurons and proteins often associated with dementia and other brain diseases.
CRISPR technology could bring new approach to Alzheimer’s treatment
Led by Martin Kampmann, the team was set to identify the genes responsible for certain states of microglial activity. In this way, the team can turn genes on and off and put the displaced cells back in their place.
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Making microglia cells using stem cells donated by human volunteers, the team began developing a new platform that combines a form of CRISPR and allows researchers to turn individual genes on and off.
With this, the team was able to reset the genes responsible for the cell’s ability to survive and reproduce. Detection of gene types helped the researchers successfully rest them and transform the diseased cell into healthy cells.
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