The
historical application of
biotechnology throughout time is provided below in chronological order.
These discoveries, inventions and modifications are evidence of the application of biotechnology since before the common era and describe notable events in the research, development and regulation of biotechnology.
1919 –
Károly Ereky, a Hungarian agricultural engineer, first uses the word biotechnology.[4]
In 1919, a pivotal milestone was reached with the production of citric acid by Aspergillus niger, marking the inception of the first aerobic fermentation process. This breakthrough spurred the development of technologies to ensure the supply of sterile air at a large scale, paving the way for future advancements in industrial fermentation processes.[5]
1978 – North Carolina scientists
Clyde Hutchison and
Marshall Edgell show it is possible to introduce specific mutations at specific sites in a DNA molecule.[7]
1980 – The U.S. patent for gene cloning is awarded to Cohen and Boyer.
This section may be
too long to read and navigate comfortably. Consider
splitting content into sub-articles,
condensing it, or adding
subheadings. Please discuss this issue on the article's
talk page.(September 2022)
2008 – Japanese astronomers launch the first Medical Experiment Module called
"Kibō", to be used on the
International Space Station.
2010-Over the past two decades, a considerable focus has been directed toward creating sustainable alternatives for petroleum-based fuels, chemicals, and materials. Major players in the chemical industry, such as BASF, DSM, BP, and Total, have initiated significant projects and collaborations in metabolic engineering. Additionally, various startups have emerged with the goal of pioneering new bio-based processes for sustainable chemicals. Despite advancements in establishing large-scale processes, the overall impact on transitioning the chemical industry from petroleum-based to bio-based has been limited. For instance, efforts to engineer microbial production of succinic acid have faced challenges, leading to the termination or minimal-scale production of related research and commercial activities. Out of the chemicals listed by the US Department of Energy, only lactic acid and itaconic acid have achieved industrial-scale production. Lactic acid, added to the list in 2010 after large-scale production was established, currently holds a market value exceeding US$2.5 billion, primarily used in the production of polylactate.[5]
2009 –
Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute uses modified SAN heart genes to create the first viral pacemaker in guinea pigs, now known as iSANs.
2018-The Joint Centre of Excellence by Imperial College and the UK National Physical Laboratory focuses on advancing industry collaboration to transform high-value manufacturing into high-value products. Noteworthy progress includes the adoption of SBOL by ACS Synthetic Biology in 2016 and ongoing efforts, such as engagement with the BioRoboost project, aiming for international standards with partners from the USA, China, Japan, and Singapore.[8]
2019 – Scientists report, for the first time, the use of the
CRISPR technology to edit
human genes to treat
cancer patients with whom standard treatments were not successful.[9][10]
The progression of commercial applications in synthetic biology is notably swift, propelled predominantly by investments directed towards start-up enterprises and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) engaged in the dissemination of tools, services, and products to the market. This is exemplified by the informational resource titled 'Synthetic Biology UK — A Decade of Rapid Progress,' disseminated online in July 2019 , which furnishes a demonstrative compilation of instances rooted in the United Kingdom.[8]
2019 – In a study researchers describe a new method of genetic engineering superior to previous methods like
CRISPR they call "
prime editing".[11][12][13]
5 February – Scientists develop a
CRISPR-Cas12a-based gene editing system that can probe and control several genes at once and can implement
logic gating to e.g. detect cancer cells and execute therapeutic
immunomodulatory responses.[19][20]
6 February – Scientists report that preliminary results from a phase I trial using
CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing of
T cells in patients with
refractory cancer demonstrates that, according to their study, such CRISPR-based therapies can be safe and feasible.[21][22][23][24]
4 March – Scientists report that they have developed a way to
3D bioprintgraphene oxide with a protein. They demonstrate that this novel bioink can be used to recreate
vascular-like structures. This may be used in the development of safer and more efficient drugs.[25][26]
4 March – Scientists report to have used
CRISPR-Cas9gene editing inside a human's body for the first time. They aim to restore vision for a patient with inherited
Leber congenital amaurosis and state that it may take up to a month to see whether the procedure was successful. In an hour-long surgery study approved by government regulators doctors inject three drops of fluid containing viruses under the patient's
retina. In earlier tests in human tissue, mice and monkeys scientists were able to correct half of the cells with the disease-causing mutation, which was more than what is needed to restore vision. Unlike
germline editing these DNA modifications aren't inheritable.[27][28][29][30]
14 March – Scientists report in a
preprint to have developed a
CRISPR-based strategy, called PAC-MAN (Prophylactic Antiviral Crispr in huMAN cells), that can find and destroy viruses
in vitro. However, they weren't able to test PAC-MAN on the actual
SARS-CoV-2, use a targeting-mechanism that uses only a very limited
RNA-region, haven't developed a system to
deliver it into human cells and would need
a lot of time until another version of it or a potential successor system might pass
clinical trials. In the study published as a
preprint they write that the
CRISPR-Cas13d-based system could be used
prophylactically as well as therapeutically and that it could be implemented rapidly to manage new pandemic coronavirus strains – and potentially any virus – as it could be tailored to other RNA-targets quickly, only requiring a small change.[33][34][35][36] The paper was published on 29 April 2020.[37][38]
16 March – Researchers report that they have developed a new kind of
CRISPR-Cas13d screening platform for effective
guide RNA design to target
RNA. They used their model to predict optimized Cas13 guide RNAs for all protein-coding RNA-transcripts of the
human genome's
DNA. Their technology could be used in molecular biology and in medical applications such as for better targeting of virus RNA or human RNA. Targeting human RNA after it has been transcribed from DNA, rather than DNA, would allow for more temporary effects than permanent changes to human genomes. The technology is made available to researchers through an interactive website and
free and open source software and is accompanied by a guide on how to create guide RNAs to target the
SARS-CoV-2 RNA genome.[39][40]
16 March – Scientists present new
multiplexed CRISPR technology, called CHyMErA (Cas Hybrid for Multiplexed Editing and Screening Applications), that can be used to analyse which or how genes act together by simultaneously removing multiple genes or gene-fragments using both
Cas9 and
Cas12a.[41][42]
10 April – Scientists report to have achieved wireless control of
adrenal hormone secretion in genetically unmodified rats through the use of injectable, magnetic
nanoparticles (MNPs) and remotely applied alternating magnetic fields heats them up. Their findings may aid research of physiological and psychological impacts of
stress and related treatments and present an alternative strategy for modulating peripheral organ function than problematic implantable devices.[43][44]
15 April – Scientists describe and visualize the atomical structure and mechanical action of the bacteria-killing
bacteriocin R2
pyocin and construct engineered versions with different behaviours than the naturally occurring version. Their findings may aid the engineering of
nanomachines such as for
targeted antibiotics.[47][48]
8 May – Researchers report to have developed
artificialchloroplasts – the
photosynthetic structures inside
plant cells. They combined
thylakoids, which are used for photosynthesis, from spinach with a bacterial enzyme and an artificial metabolic module of 16
enzymes, which can
convert carbon dioxide more efficiently than
plants can alone, into cell-sized droplets. According to the study this demonstrates how natural and synthetic biological modules can be matched for new functional systems.[58][59][60][61]
11 May – Researchers report the development of
synthetic red blood cells that for the first time have all of
the natural cells' known broad natural properties and abilities. Furthermore, methods to load functional cargos such as
hemoglobin, drugs, magnetic
nanoparticles, and ATP
biosensors may enable additional non-native functionalities.[62][63]
10 July – Scientists report that after mice exercise their livers secrete the protein
GPLD1, which is also elevated in elderly humans who exercise regularly, that this is associated with improved cognitive function in aged mice and that increasing the amount of GPLD1 produced by the mouse liver could yield many
benefits of regular exercise for the brain.[72][73]
17 July – Scientists report that yeast cells of the same genetic material and within the same environment age in two distinct ways, describe a biomolecular mechanism that can determine which process dominates during aging and
genetically engineer a novel
aging route with substantially
extended lifespan.[74][75]
18 September – Researchers report the development of two active
guide RNA-only elements that, according to their study, may enable halting or deleting
gene drives introduced into populations in the wild with
CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing. The paper's senior author cautions that the two neutralizing systems they demonstrated in cage trials "should not be used with a
false sense of security for field-implemented gene drives".[82][83]
25 November – Scientists report the development of micro-droplets for
algal cells or synergistic algal-bacterial multicellular
spheroidmicrobial reactors capable of producing oxygen as well as
hydrogen via photosynthesis in daylight under air, which may be useful as a
hydrogen economy biotechnology.[92][93]
2 December – The world's first regulatory approval for a
cultivated meat product is awarded by the Government of Singapore. The chicken meat was grown in a
bioreactor in a fluid of amino acids, sugar, and salt.[97]The chicken nuggets food products are ~70% lab-grown meat, while the remainder is made from
mung bean proteins and other ingredients. The company pledged to strive for price parity with premium "restaurant" chicken servings.[98][99]
0 Scientists report the discovery of unknown species of
bacteria of Methylobacterium, tentatively named Methylobacterium ajmalii, associated with three new strains, designated IF7SW-B2T, IIF1SW-B5, and IIF4SW-B5, on the
ISS. These potentially have ecological significance in closed microgravity systems.[108][109]
A study finds that, despite suboptimal implementation, the
snapshot mass-testingfor COVID-19 of ~80% of
Slovakia's population at the end of October 2020 was highly efficacious, decreasing observed prevalence by 58% within one week and 70% compared to a hypothetical scenario of no snapshot-mass-testing.[110][111]
0 Scientists present a tool for
epigenome editing, CRISPRoff, that can heritably silence the
gene expression of "most genes" and allows for reversible modifications.[114][115]
0 Biologists report the development of a new updated classification system for
cell nuclei and find a way of transmuting one
cell type into that of another.[127][128]
Media outlets report that the world's first
cultured coffee product has been created, still awaiting regulatory approval for near-term commercialization. It was also reported that another biotechnology company produced and sold "molecular coffee" without clear details of the molecular composition or similarity to cultured coffee except having compounds that are in green coffee and that a third company is working on the development of a similar product made from extracted molecules.[147][148][149] Such products, for which multiple
companies' R&D have acquired substantial funding, may have equal or highly similar effects, composition and taste as natural products but use less water, generate less carbon emissions, require less and relocated labor[148] and cause
no deforestation.[147]
Researchers report the world's first
artificial synthesis of
starch. The material essential for many products and the most common
carbohydrate in human diets was made from CO2 in a cell-free process and could reduce land, pesticide and water use as well as greenhouse gas emissions while increasing food security.[150][151]
Media outlets report that in Japan the first
CRISPR-edited food has gone on public sale. Tomatoes
were genetically modified for around five times the normal amount of possibly calming[152]GABA.[153] CRISPR was first applied in tomatoes in 2014.[154]
Biomedical researchers demonstrate a switchable
Yamanaka factors-
reprogramming-based approach for
regeneration of damaged heart without tumor-formation with success in mice if the intervention is done immediately before or after a heart attack.[155][156]
Medical researchers announce that on 25 September the first successful
xenotransplantation of a, genetically engineered, pig
kidney, along with the pig
thymus gland to make the immune system recognize it as part of the body, to a brain-dead human with no immediate signs of
rejection, moving the practice closer to
clinical trials with some of the living humans waiting for
kidney transplants.[160][161]
Bionanoengineers report a novel therapy for
spinal cord injury – an injectable gel of nanofibers that contain moving molecules that cause cellular repair signaling and mimic the matrix around cells. The therapy enabled paralyzed mice to walk again.[164][165][166]
Scientists report the development of a
vaccine of mRNAs for the body build 19 proteins in tick saliva which, by enabling quick development of
erythema (itchy redness) at the bite site, protects guinea pigs against
Lyme disease from
ticks.[169][170]
Sri Lanka announces that it will lift its import ban on
pesticides and herbicides, explained by both a lack of sudden changes to widely applied practices or education systems and contemporary economics and, by extension, food security, protests and high food costs. The effort for the first transition to a completely
organic farming nation was challenged by effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.[171][172]
A team of scientists reports a new form of biological reproduction in the, <1 mm sized,
xenobots that are made up of and are emersed in frog cells.[173][174]
0A method of
DNA data storage with 100 times the density of previous techniques is announced.[175]
Scientists demonstrate that
grown brain cells integrated
into digital systems can carry out goal-directed
tasks with
performance-scores. In particular, playing a simulated (via electrophysiological stimulation) Pong which the cells learned to play faster than known machine intelligence systems, albeit to a lower skill-level than both AI and humans. Moreover, the study suggests it provides "first empirical evidence" of information-processing capacity differences between neurons from different species.[178][179] Such technologies are referred to as
Organoid Intelligence (OI).[180]
Researchers report the development of
face masks that glow under ultraviolet light if they contain SARS-CoV-2 when the filter is taken out and sprayed with a fluorescent dye that contains antibodies from ostrich eggs.[181]
Scientists report the development of a
genome editing system, called "
twin prime editing", which surpasses the original
prime editing system reported in 2019 in that it allows editing large sequences of DNA, addressing the method's key drawback.[182][183]
A vaccine to remove
senescent cells, a key driver of the
aging process, is demonstrated in mice by researchers from Japan.[186][187]
Scientists call for accelerated efforts in the development of broadly protective vaccines, especially a
universal coronavirus vaccine that durably protects not just against all
SARS-CoV-2 variants but also other
coronaviruses, including already identified animal coronaviruses with pandemic potential.[188]
The first
CRISPR-gene-editedseafood and second set of
CRISPR-edited food has gone on public sale in Japan: two fish[vague] of which one species grows to twice the size of natural specimens due to disruption of
leptin, which controls appetite, and the other grows to 1.2 the natural size with the same amount of food due to disabled
myostatin, which inhibits
muscle growth.[191][192]
0Genetic engineers report field test results that show
CRISPR-based
gene knockout of KRN2 in maize and OsKRN2 in rice
increased grain yields by ~10% and ~8% and did not find any negative effects.[203][204]
Publication of research reporting the sequencing of the remaining gap of the
Human genome.[205][206]
0Scientists report the first
3D-printedlab-grown wood. It is unclear if it could ever be used on a commercial scale (e.g. with sufficient production efficiency and quality).[210][211]
0News reports about the development in China of an edible, plant-based ink derived from food waste, which could be used in
3D printing of scaffolds to reduce the cost of
cultured meat.[247][248]
Medical applications
Some of these items may also have potential nonmedical applications and vice versa.
[relevant?]Success of record-long (3 days rather than usually <12 hours) of human
transplant organ
preservation with
machine perfusion of a
liver is reported. It could possibly be extended to 10 days and prevent substantial cell damage by low temperature preservation methods.[272][273] On the same day, a separate study reports new
cryoprotectant solvents, tested with cells, that could preserve organs by the latter methods for much longer with substantially reduced damage.[274][275]
[relevant?]Researchers describe a new light-activated '
photoimmunotherapy' for
brain cancerin vitro. They believe it could join surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy as a fifth major form of cancer treatment.[278][279]
[relevant?]Researchers, health organizations and regulators are discussing, investigating and partly recommending
COVID-19 vaccine boosters that mix the original vaccine formulation with
Omicron-adjusted parts – such as
spike proteins of a specific Omicron subvariant – to better prepare the immune system to recognize a wide variety of
variants amid substantial and ongoing immune evasion by Omicron.[280]
[relevant?]Scientists report an
organ perfusion system that can restore, i.e. on the cellular level, multiple vital (pig) organs one hour after death (during which the body had warm
ischaemia),[285][286] after reporting a similar method/system for reviving (pig) brains hours after death in 2019.[285][287] This could be used to preserve
donor organs or for revival in medical emergencies.[285]
[relevant?]Lab-made
cartilage gel based on a synthetic
hydrogel composite is found to have greater strength and wear resistance than natural cartilage, which could enable the durable resurfacing of damaged
articulating joints.[288][289]
[relevant?]A
bioengineeredcornea made from pig's skin is shown to restore vision to blind people. It can be mass-produced and stored for up to two years, unlike donated human corneas that are scarce and must be used within two weeks.[290][291]
[relevant?]A weak spot in the
spike protein of
SARS-CoV-2 is described by researchers, which an
antibody fragment called VH Ab6 can attach to, potentially neutralising all major
variants of the virus.[292][293] On 11 August, researchers report a single antibody, SP1-77, that could potentially neutralize all known variants of the virus via a novel mechanism, not by not preventing the virus from binding to
ACE2 receptors but by blocking it from fusing with host cells'
membranes.[294][295]
A new
malaria vaccine developed by the University of Oxford is shown to be ~80% effective at preventing the disease.[303][304]
0A study adds to the accumulating research indicating postexposure antiviral
TIPs could be an effective countermeasure that reduces
COVID-19 transmission.[305][306]
Researchers report in a
preprint the
CRISPR alternative
Fanzor naturally present in
eukaryotes with several potential advantages over CRISPR in
genome editing, notably smaller size and higher selectiveness.[346][347] A separate team further demonstrates the potential of this class of genome editors.[348][349]
A new method to deliver drugs into the inner ear is demonstrated with a gene-therapy against hearing loss in mice.[350]
Scientists use
CRISPR gene-editing to reduce the
lignin content in
poplar trees by as much as 50%, offering a potentially more sustainable method of fiber production.[353][354]
The world's first
COVID-19 drug designed by
generative AI is approved for human use, with clinical trials expected to begin in China. The new drug, ISM3312, is developed by
Insilico Medicine.[388]
The first successful transplant of a functional
cryopreservedmammalian kidney is reported. The study demonstrates a "nanowarming" technique for vitrification for up-to-100 days preservation of transplant organs.[397][398]
^Gonatopoulos-Pournatzis, Thomas; Aregger, Michael; Brown, Kevin R.; Farhangmehr, Shaghayegh; Braunschweig, Ulrich; Ward, Henry N.; Ha, Kevin C. H.; Weiss, Alexander; Billmann, Maximilian; Durbic, Tanja; Myers, Chad L.; Blencowe, Benjamin J.; Moffat, Jason (16 March 2020). "Genetic interaction mapping and exon-resolution functional genomics with a hybrid Cas9–Cas12a platform". Nature Biotechnology. 38 (5): 638–648.
doi:
10.1038/s41587-020-0437-z.
PMID32249828.
S2CID212731918.
^Chen, Yanpu; Lüttmann, Felipe F.; Schoger, Eric; Schöler, Hans R.; Zelarayán, Laura C.; Kim, Kee-Pyo; Haigh, Jody J.; Kim, Johnny; Braun, Thomas (24 September 2021). "Reversible reprogramming of cardiomyocytes to a fetal state drives heart regeneration in mice". Science. 373 (6562): 1537–1540.
Bibcode:
2021Sci...373.1537C.
doi:
10.1126/science.abg5159.
ISSN0036-8075.
PMID34554778.
S2CID237617229.
^Hathaway, Bill.
"Novel Lyme vaccine shows promise". Yale University. Retrieved 13 December 2021. Compared to non-immunized guinea pigs, vaccinated animals exposed to infected ticks quickly developed redness at the tick bite site. None of the immunized animals developed Lyme disease if ticks were removed when redness developed. In contrast, about half of the control group became infected with B. burgdorferi after tick removal. When a single infected tick was attached to immunized guinea pigs and not removed, none of vaccinated animals were infected compared to 60 percent of control animals. However, protection waned in immunized guinea pigs if three ticks remained attached to the animal. Ticks in immunized animals were unable to feed aggressively and dislodged more quickly than those on guinea pigs in the control group.
^Talaei, Maryam; Mahdavinejad, Mohammadjavad; Azari, Rahman (1 March 2020). "Thermal and energy performance of algae bioreactive façades: A review". Journal of Building Engineering. 28: 101011.
doi:
10.1016/j.jobe.2019.101011.
ISSN2352-7102.
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^Clavien, Pierre-Alain; Dutkowski, Philipp; Mueller, Matteo; Eshmuminov, Dilmurodjon; Bautista Borrego, Lucia; Weber, Achim; Muellhaupt, Beat; Sousa Da Silva, Richard X.; Burg, Brian R.; Rudolf von Rohr, Philipp; Schuler, Martin J.; Becker, Dustin; Hefti, Max; Tibbitt, Mark W. (31 May 2022). "Transplantation of a human liver following 3 days of ex situ normothermic preservation". Nature Biotechnology. 40 (11): 1610–1616.
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ISSN1546-1696.
PMID35641829.
S2CID249234907.
The
historical application of
biotechnology throughout time is provided below in chronological order.
These discoveries, inventions and modifications are evidence of the application of biotechnology since before the common era and describe notable events in the research, development and regulation of biotechnology.
1919 –
Károly Ereky, a Hungarian agricultural engineer, first uses the word biotechnology.[4]
In 1919, a pivotal milestone was reached with the production of citric acid by Aspergillus niger, marking the inception of the first aerobic fermentation process. This breakthrough spurred the development of technologies to ensure the supply of sterile air at a large scale, paving the way for future advancements in industrial fermentation processes.[5]
1978 – North Carolina scientists
Clyde Hutchison and
Marshall Edgell show it is possible to introduce specific mutations at specific sites in a DNA molecule.[7]
1980 – The U.S. patent for gene cloning is awarded to Cohen and Boyer.
This section may be
too long to read and navigate comfortably. Consider
splitting content into sub-articles,
condensing it, or adding
subheadings. Please discuss this issue on the article's
talk page.(September 2022)
2008 – Japanese astronomers launch the first Medical Experiment Module called
"Kibō", to be used on the
International Space Station.
2010-Over the past two decades, a considerable focus has been directed toward creating sustainable alternatives for petroleum-based fuels, chemicals, and materials. Major players in the chemical industry, such as BASF, DSM, BP, and Total, have initiated significant projects and collaborations in metabolic engineering. Additionally, various startups have emerged with the goal of pioneering new bio-based processes for sustainable chemicals. Despite advancements in establishing large-scale processes, the overall impact on transitioning the chemical industry from petroleum-based to bio-based has been limited. For instance, efforts to engineer microbial production of succinic acid have faced challenges, leading to the termination or minimal-scale production of related research and commercial activities. Out of the chemicals listed by the US Department of Energy, only lactic acid and itaconic acid have achieved industrial-scale production. Lactic acid, added to the list in 2010 after large-scale production was established, currently holds a market value exceeding US$2.5 billion, primarily used in the production of polylactate.[5]
2009 –
Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute uses modified SAN heart genes to create the first viral pacemaker in guinea pigs, now known as iSANs.
2018-The Joint Centre of Excellence by Imperial College and the UK National Physical Laboratory focuses on advancing industry collaboration to transform high-value manufacturing into high-value products. Noteworthy progress includes the adoption of SBOL by ACS Synthetic Biology in 2016 and ongoing efforts, such as engagement with the BioRoboost project, aiming for international standards with partners from the USA, China, Japan, and Singapore.[8]
2019 – Scientists report, for the first time, the use of the
CRISPR technology to edit
human genes to treat
cancer patients with whom standard treatments were not successful.[9][10]
The progression of commercial applications in synthetic biology is notably swift, propelled predominantly by investments directed towards start-up enterprises and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) engaged in the dissemination of tools, services, and products to the market. This is exemplified by the informational resource titled 'Synthetic Biology UK — A Decade of Rapid Progress,' disseminated online in July 2019 , which furnishes a demonstrative compilation of instances rooted in the United Kingdom.[8]
2019 – In a study researchers describe a new method of genetic engineering superior to previous methods like
CRISPR they call "
prime editing".[11][12][13]
5 February – Scientists develop a
CRISPR-Cas12a-based gene editing system that can probe and control several genes at once and can implement
logic gating to e.g. detect cancer cells and execute therapeutic
immunomodulatory responses.[19][20]
6 February – Scientists report that preliminary results from a phase I trial using
CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing of
T cells in patients with
refractory cancer demonstrates that, according to their study, such CRISPR-based therapies can be safe and feasible.[21][22][23][24]
4 March – Scientists report that they have developed a way to
3D bioprintgraphene oxide with a protein. They demonstrate that this novel bioink can be used to recreate
vascular-like structures. This may be used in the development of safer and more efficient drugs.[25][26]
4 March – Scientists report to have used
CRISPR-Cas9gene editing inside a human's body for the first time. They aim to restore vision for a patient with inherited
Leber congenital amaurosis and state that it may take up to a month to see whether the procedure was successful. In an hour-long surgery study approved by government regulators doctors inject three drops of fluid containing viruses under the patient's
retina. In earlier tests in human tissue, mice and monkeys scientists were able to correct half of the cells with the disease-causing mutation, which was more than what is needed to restore vision. Unlike
germline editing these DNA modifications aren't inheritable.[27][28][29][30]
14 March – Scientists report in a
preprint to have developed a
CRISPR-based strategy, called PAC-MAN (Prophylactic Antiviral Crispr in huMAN cells), that can find and destroy viruses
in vitro. However, they weren't able to test PAC-MAN on the actual
SARS-CoV-2, use a targeting-mechanism that uses only a very limited
RNA-region, haven't developed a system to
deliver it into human cells and would need
a lot of time until another version of it or a potential successor system might pass
clinical trials. In the study published as a
preprint they write that the
CRISPR-Cas13d-based system could be used
prophylactically as well as therapeutically and that it could be implemented rapidly to manage new pandemic coronavirus strains – and potentially any virus – as it could be tailored to other RNA-targets quickly, only requiring a small change.[33][34][35][36] The paper was published on 29 April 2020.[37][38]
16 March – Researchers report that they have developed a new kind of
CRISPR-Cas13d screening platform for effective
guide RNA design to target
RNA. They used their model to predict optimized Cas13 guide RNAs for all protein-coding RNA-transcripts of the
human genome's
DNA. Their technology could be used in molecular biology and in medical applications such as for better targeting of virus RNA or human RNA. Targeting human RNA after it has been transcribed from DNA, rather than DNA, would allow for more temporary effects than permanent changes to human genomes. The technology is made available to researchers through an interactive website and
free and open source software and is accompanied by a guide on how to create guide RNAs to target the
SARS-CoV-2 RNA genome.[39][40]
16 March – Scientists present new
multiplexed CRISPR technology, called CHyMErA (Cas Hybrid for Multiplexed Editing and Screening Applications), that can be used to analyse which or how genes act together by simultaneously removing multiple genes or gene-fragments using both
Cas9 and
Cas12a.[41][42]
10 April – Scientists report to have achieved wireless control of
adrenal hormone secretion in genetically unmodified rats through the use of injectable, magnetic
nanoparticles (MNPs) and remotely applied alternating magnetic fields heats them up. Their findings may aid research of physiological and psychological impacts of
stress and related treatments and present an alternative strategy for modulating peripheral organ function than problematic implantable devices.[43][44]
15 April – Scientists describe and visualize the atomical structure and mechanical action of the bacteria-killing
bacteriocin R2
pyocin and construct engineered versions with different behaviours than the naturally occurring version. Their findings may aid the engineering of
nanomachines such as for
targeted antibiotics.[47][48]
8 May – Researchers report to have developed
artificialchloroplasts – the
photosynthetic structures inside
plant cells. They combined
thylakoids, which are used for photosynthesis, from spinach with a bacterial enzyme and an artificial metabolic module of 16
enzymes, which can
convert carbon dioxide more efficiently than
plants can alone, into cell-sized droplets. According to the study this demonstrates how natural and synthetic biological modules can be matched for new functional systems.[58][59][60][61]
11 May – Researchers report the development of
synthetic red blood cells that for the first time have all of
the natural cells' known broad natural properties and abilities. Furthermore, methods to load functional cargos such as
hemoglobin, drugs, magnetic
nanoparticles, and ATP
biosensors may enable additional non-native functionalities.[62][63]
10 July – Scientists report that after mice exercise their livers secrete the protein
GPLD1, which is also elevated in elderly humans who exercise regularly, that this is associated with improved cognitive function in aged mice and that increasing the amount of GPLD1 produced by the mouse liver could yield many
benefits of regular exercise for the brain.[72][73]
17 July – Scientists report that yeast cells of the same genetic material and within the same environment age in two distinct ways, describe a biomolecular mechanism that can determine which process dominates during aging and
genetically engineer a novel
aging route with substantially
extended lifespan.[74][75]
18 September – Researchers report the development of two active
guide RNA-only elements that, according to their study, may enable halting or deleting
gene drives introduced into populations in the wild with
CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing. The paper's senior author cautions that the two neutralizing systems they demonstrated in cage trials "should not be used with a
false sense of security for field-implemented gene drives".[82][83]
25 November – Scientists report the development of micro-droplets for
algal cells or synergistic algal-bacterial multicellular
spheroidmicrobial reactors capable of producing oxygen as well as
hydrogen via photosynthesis in daylight under air, which may be useful as a
hydrogen economy biotechnology.[92][93]
2 December – The world's first regulatory approval for a
cultivated meat product is awarded by the Government of Singapore. The chicken meat was grown in a
bioreactor in a fluid of amino acids, sugar, and salt.[97]The chicken nuggets food products are ~70% lab-grown meat, while the remainder is made from
mung bean proteins and other ingredients. The company pledged to strive for price parity with premium "restaurant" chicken servings.[98][99]
0 Scientists report the discovery of unknown species of
bacteria of Methylobacterium, tentatively named Methylobacterium ajmalii, associated with three new strains, designated IF7SW-B2T, IIF1SW-B5, and IIF4SW-B5, on the
ISS. These potentially have ecological significance in closed microgravity systems.[108][109]
A study finds that, despite suboptimal implementation, the
snapshot mass-testingfor COVID-19 of ~80% of
Slovakia's population at the end of October 2020 was highly efficacious, decreasing observed prevalence by 58% within one week and 70% compared to a hypothetical scenario of no snapshot-mass-testing.[110][111]
0 Scientists present a tool for
epigenome editing, CRISPRoff, that can heritably silence the
gene expression of "most genes" and allows for reversible modifications.[114][115]
0 Biologists report the development of a new updated classification system for
cell nuclei and find a way of transmuting one
cell type into that of another.[127][128]
Media outlets report that the world's first
cultured coffee product has been created, still awaiting regulatory approval for near-term commercialization. It was also reported that another biotechnology company produced and sold "molecular coffee" without clear details of the molecular composition or similarity to cultured coffee except having compounds that are in green coffee and that a third company is working on the development of a similar product made from extracted molecules.[147][148][149] Such products, for which multiple
companies' R&D have acquired substantial funding, may have equal or highly similar effects, composition and taste as natural products but use less water, generate less carbon emissions, require less and relocated labor[148] and cause
no deforestation.[147]
Researchers report the world's first
artificial synthesis of
starch. The material essential for many products and the most common
carbohydrate in human diets was made from CO2 in a cell-free process and could reduce land, pesticide and water use as well as greenhouse gas emissions while increasing food security.[150][151]
Media outlets report that in Japan the first
CRISPR-edited food has gone on public sale. Tomatoes
were genetically modified for around five times the normal amount of possibly calming[152]GABA.[153] CRISPR was first applied in tomatoes in 2014.[154]
Biomedical researchers demonstrate a switchable
Yamanaka factors-
reprogramming-based approach for
regeneration of damaged heart without tumor-formation with success in mice if the intervention is done immediately before or after a heart attack.[155][156]
Medical researchers announce that on 25 September the first successful
xenotransplantation of a, genetically engineered, pig
kidney, along with the pig
thymus gland to make the immune system recognize it as part of the body, to a brain-dead human with no immediate signs of
rejection, moving the practice closer to
clinical trials with some of the living humans waiting for
kidney transplants.[160][161]
Bionanoengineers report a novel therapy for
spinal cord injury – an injectable gel of nanofibers that contain moving molecules that cause cellular repair signaling and mimic the matrix around cells. The therapy enabled paralyzed mice to walk again.[164][165][166]
Scientists report the development of a
vaccine of mRNAs for the body build 19 proteins in tick saliva which, by enabling quick development of
erythema (itchy redness) at the bite site, protects guinea pigs against
Lyme disease from
ticks.[169][170]
Sri Lanka announces that it will lift its import ban on
pesticides and herbicides, explained by both a lack of sudden changes to widely applied practices or education systems and contemporary economics and, by extension, food security, protests and high food costs. The effort for the first transition to a completely
organic farming nation was challenged by effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.[171][172]
A team of scientists reports a new form of biological reproduction in the, <1 mm sized,
xenobots that are made up of and are emersed in frog cells.[173][174]
0A method of
DNA data storage with 100 times the density of previous techniques is announced.[175]
Scientists demonstrate that
grown brain cells integrated
into digital systems can carry out goal-directed
tasks with
performance-scores. In particular, playing a simulated (via electrophysiological stimulation) Pong which the cells learned to play faster than known machine intelligence systems, albeit to a lower skill-level than both AI and humans. Moreover, the study suggests it provides "first empirical evidence" of information-processing capacity differences between neurons from different species.[178][179] Such technologies are referred to as
Organoid Intelligence (OI).[180]
Researchers report the development of
face masks that glow under ultraviolet light if they contain SARS-CoV-2 when the filter is taken out and sprayed with a fluorescent dye that contains antibodies from ostrich eggs.[181]
Scientists report the development of a
genome editing system, called "
twin prime editing", which surpasses the original
prime editing system reported in 2019 in that it allows editing large sequences of DNA, addressing the method's key drawback.[182][183]
A vaccine to remove
senescent cells, a key driver of the
aging process, is demonstrated in mice by researchers from Japan.[186][187]
Scientists call for accelerated efforts in the development of broadly protective vaccines, especially a
universal coronavirus vaccine that durably protects not just against all
SARS-CoV-2 variants but also other
coronaviruses, including already identified animal coronaviruses with pandemic potential.[188]
The first
CRISPR-gene-editedseafood and second set of
CRISPR-edited food has gone on public sale in Japan: two fish[vague] of which one species grows to twice the size of natural specimens due to disruption of
leptin, which controls appetite, and the other grows to 1.2 the natural size with the same amount of food due to disabled
myostatin, which inhibits
muscle growth.[191][192]
0Genetic engineers report field test results that show
CRISPR-based
gene knockout of KRN2 in maize and OsKRN2 in rice
increased grain yields by ~10% and ~8% and did not find any negative effects.[203][204]
Publication of research reporting the sequencing of the remaining gap of the
Human genome.[205][206]
0Scientists report the first
3D-printedlab-grown wood. It is unclear if it could ever be used on a commercial scale (e.g. with sufficient production efficiency and quality).[210][211]
0News reports about the development in China of an edible, plant-based ink derived from food waste, which could be used in
3D printing of scaffolds to reduce the cost of
cultured meat.[247][248]
Medical applications
Some of these items may also have potential nonmedical applications and vice versa.
[relevant?]Success of record-long (3 days rather than usually <12 hours) of human
transplant organ
preservation with
machine perfusion of a
liver is reported. It could possibly be extended to 10 days and prevent substantial cell damage by low temperature preservation methods.[272][273] On the same day, a separate study reports new
cryoprotectant solvents, tested with cells, that could preserve organs by the latter methods for much longer with substantially reduced damage.[274][275]
[relevant?]Researchers describe a new light-activated '
photoimmunotherapy' for
brain cancerin vitro. They believe it could join surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy as a fifth major form of cancer treatment.[278][279]
[relevant?]Researchers, health organizations and regulators are discussing, investigating and partly recommending
COVID-19 vaccine boosters that mix the original vaccine formulation with
Omicron-adjusted parts – such as
spike proteins of a specific Omicron subvariant – to better prepare the immune system to recognize a wide variety of
variants amid substantial and ongoing immune evasion by Omicron.[280]
[relevant?]Scientists report an
organ perfusion system that can restore, i.e. on the cellular level, multiple vital (pig) organs one hour after death (during which the body had warm
ischaemia),[285][286] after reporting a similar method/system for reviving (pig) brains hours after death in 2019.[285][287] This could be used to preserve
donor organs or for revival in medical emergencies.[285]
[relevant?]Lab-made
cartilage gel based on a synthetic
hydrogel composite is found to have greater strength and wear resistance than natural cartilage, which could enable the durable resurfacing of damaged
articulating joints.[288][289]
[relevant?]A
bioengineeredcornea made from pig's skin is shown to restore vision to blind people. It can be mass-produced and stored for up to two years, unlike donated human corneas that are scarce and must be used within two weeks.[290][291]
[relevant?]A weak spot in the
spike protein of
SARS-CoV-2 is described by researchers, which an
antibody fragment called VH Ab6 can attach to, potentially neutralising all major
variants of the virus.[292][293] On 11 August, researchers report a single antibody, SP1-77, that could potentially neutralize all known variants of the virus via a novel mechanism, not by not preventing the virus from binding to
ACE2 receptors but by blocking it from fusing with host cells'
membranes.[294][295]
A new
malaria vaccine developed by the University of Oxford is shown to be ~80% effective at preventing the disease.[303][304]
0A study adds to the accumulating research indicating postexposure antiviral
TIPs could be an effective countermeasure that reduces
COVID-19 transmission.[305][306]
Researchers report in a
preprint the
CRISPR alternative
Fanzor naturally present in
eukaryotes with several potential advantages over CRISPR in
genome editing, notably smaller size and higher selectiveness.[346][347] A separate team further demonstrates the potential of this class of genome editors.[348][349]
A new method to deliver drugs into the inner ear is demonstrated with a gene-therapy against hearing loss in mice.[350]
Scientists use
CRISPR gene-editing to reduce the
lignin content in
poplar trees by as much as 50%, offering a potentially more sustainable method of fiber production.[353][354]
The world's first
COVID-19 drug designed by
generative AI is approved for human use, with clinical trials expected to begin in China. The new drug, ISM3312, is developed by
Insilico Medicine.[388]
The first successful transplant of a functional
cryopreservedmammalian kidney is reported. The study demonstrates a "nanowarming" technique for vitrification for up-to-100 days preservation of transplant organs.[397][398]
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