Crispr Technology Offers Hope to Fight Relentless Flu Virus Outbreaks
Scientists are exploring how Crispr can target flu viruses, providing a new way to combat these persistent infections.
Crispr is known for fixing genes that cause rare diseases like sickle cell disease and hemophilia. But Zhao’s team at the Peter Doherty Institute sees a new way to use it. They believe Crispr can create treatments for influenza, including the common seasonal strains and new dangerous types.
Crispr can edit the genetic code in all living things. The most famous part is the Cas9 enzyme, which corrects mistakes in DNA. However, Zhao is interested in a different enzyme called Cas13. It can target viruses that have RNA instead of DNA, and since influenza viruses are made of RNA, Cas13 could be very helpful.
“Cas13 can target these RNA viruses and inactivate them,” Zhao said. Human cells do not create Cas9 or Cas13 by themselves. These enzymes are naturally found in bacteria, where Cas13 helps them defeat invading viruses. Zhao and his team want to give these abilities to humans.
They started by exploring how this system could work against Covid. Their idea is to make a nasal spray or injection that uses tiny fat particles to send instructions to cells that are infected with the flu. This process has two parts. The first part sends a message for cells to create Cas13. The second part guides Cas13 to the influenza virus’s RNA code.
Once Cas13 finds the virus, it cuts the viral RNA, which stops the virus from making more copies. “Cas13 cuts the viral RNA, stopping the infection,” said Sharon Lewin, a doctor at the institute leading the project.
The goal is to use this technology to stop infections quickly. Zhao also believes this spray could be used to prepare for tough flu seasons, helping the body ready its defenses. “It’s like having soldiers ready to fight,” he explained.