Researchers develop new tools for precise gene therapy control

Researchers have announced two distinct advancements in gene therapy technology aimed at improving the precision and delivery of gene expression control.

At Dongguk University in South Korea, a team led by Professor Jongpil Kim developed an electromagnetic field (EMF)-responsive gene switch. This tool uses the promoter of the Lgr4 gene to allow for non-invasive, fully reversible, and precise control over gene expression. In mouse models, the researchers demonstrated its potential for Alzheimer’s disease modeling and reversing aging markers.

Separately, scientists at Stanford Medicine have developed an ultracompact gene activation tool named TIGRa. Unlike the bulky CRISPR system, TIGRa is small enough to be easily packaged into viral vectors. In studies involving mouse models of retinal degeneration, TIGRa was used to activate protective genes in retinal ganglion cells, helping the subjects retain partial vision compared to untreated mice.