Global Scans · Synthetic Biology & Biotechnology · Weekly Summary

• MIT scientists have found a way to make gene editing far safer and more accurate - a breakthrough that could reshape how we treat hundreds of genetic diseases. ScienceDaily
• US researchers used gene-editing to develop cacao plants with improved resistance to fungal diseases threatening global chocolate production. CNS Media
• CRISPR Therapeutics recently announced that its novel SyNTase gene editing technology will be featured in an oral presentation at the ESGCT 2025 Congress, showcasing preclinical results targeting Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency with high efficiency and precision. Sahm
• Tulane University researchers have developed an enhanced CRISPR-based tuberculosis test that works with a simple tongue swab, a potential breakthrough that could allow easier, community-based screenings for the world's deadliest infectious disease. News-Medical
• While we are already using CRISPR to edit genes today, by 2026, expect more refined applications with improved accuracy and safety. Franetic | Marketing and Digital Transformation Agency
• Backed by $20 million from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, UCSF's new Center for Pediatric CRISPR Cures will use bespoke CRISPR-Cas therapies to treat rare genetic diseases in children. CRISPR Medicine
• Sternchemie's Rabeler expects precision fermentation, cellular agriculture, and fully functional proteins to transform the F & B sector in the next five to ten years. CNS Media
• Gene editing companies, such as CRISPR Therapeutics AG and Beam Therapeutics, hold the potential to treat and cure diseases caused by genetic variants. Nasdaq
• The adoption of new gene-editing technology into Australia's food production systems has the potential to speed up traditional breeding of animals and plants by decades. Australian Broadcasting Corporation
• As natural genetic variation in key crops nears its limits, synthetic biology and genome editing will play an essential role in ensuring global food security. J A Kemp
• Global institutions such as the United Nations could spearhead initiatives aimed at advancing research into cost-effective CRISPR-based therapies and agricultural innovations, thereby promoting broader accessibility and global health equity. PubMed Central (PMC)
• Beijing has declared synthetic biology a strategic priority, woven it into successive Five-Year Plans, and funneled billions into genome sequencing, bio-manufacturing, and AI-enhanced drug development. / China CEPA
• CRISPR screening is extremely effective at finding important factors in obesity and metabolism that could become therapeutic targets. New Atlas
• Over the next decade, microbiome breakthroughs will be driven by three key areas: targeted probiotics, multi-fibers, and synbiotics. WholeFoods Magazine
• The microbiome category reached $810 million in sales in 2024 and is projected to rise to $4.21 billion by 2030, with a robust CAGR of 31.5%. WholeFoods Magazine
• NIH's gene-editing research for Tay-Sachs disease shows potential in increasing enzyme activity, easing symptoms, and extending lifespan in mice, offering hope for future therapies. MedicalEconomics
• As regulatory pathways evolve and cross-border R&D collaboration expands, Europe is expected to remain a global leader in translational CRISPR science. Emergen Research
• In Europe, the EMA will likely approve its first CRISPR-based therapy (perhaps Intellia's in vivo CRISPR for transthyretin amyloidosis, if data are ready), marking a regulatory milestone. TS2 Space

Last updated: 25 October 2025