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"Despite their capacity to acquire and pass on an array of debilitating pathogens, research on ticks has lagged behind other arthropod vectors, such as mosquitoes, largely because of challenges in applying available genetic and molecular tools. CRISPR-Cas9 is transforming non-model organism research; however, successful gene editing has not yet been reported in ticks. Technical challenges for injecting tick embryos to attempt gene editing have further slowed research progress. Currently, no embryo injection protocol exists for any chelicerate species, including ticks. Herein, we report a successful embryo injection protocol for the black-legged tick, Ixodes scapularis, and the use of this protocol for genome editing with CRISPR-Cas9. We also demonstrate that the ReMOT Control technique could be successfully used to generate genome mutations outside Insecta. Our results provide innovative tools to the tick research community that are essential for advancing our understanding of the molecular mechanisms governing pathogen transmission by tick vectors and the underlying biology of host-vector-pathogen interactions."

"BOSTON-Having exhausted the possibilities of the chromosome pairs that came preloaded on the original human genome, researchers at Harvard Medical School's Department of Genetics told reporters Wednesday they had unlocked 47 new editable genes following their purchase of a CRISPR expansion pack. "This add-on has a ton of incredible new genes, and we can't wait to start inserting them into our lab specimens," said Kevin Spiros, a professor of genetics, remarking that there was nothing more fun than having "some fresh strands of recombinant DNA to play around with." "

"Is it ethical to edit your child's DNA - or your own? Does the answer depend on whether you're perfectly healthy or have a condition like vision loss or are dying of a degenerative disease? And does it matter whether you've got a PhD or never set foot in a college classroom?"

"Biohacking - also known as DIY biology - is an extremely broad and amorphous term that can cover a huge range of activities, from performing science experiments on yeast or other organisms to tracking your own sleep and diet to changing your own biology by pumping a younger person's blood into your veins in the hope that it'll fight aging. "

Recommended by DeAunne Denmark, MD, PhD - Magnificent resource