New CRISPR gene editors can fix RNA and DNA one typo at a time

In experiments, ‘base editors’ reverse disease-causing mutations

pencil erasing blood cells

PENCIL IT IN  Scientists have used two new versions of CRISPR gene editors, which rewrite DNA like pencils instead of cutting like scissors, to change single-letter typos that cause some blood disorders.

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New gene-editing tools can correct typos that account for about half of disease-causing genetic spelling errors.