>FASTA_21

CRISPR vs Down Syndrome; Copper reverses Parkinson’s; Samphire Neuroscience; Bryan Johnson & Circulate Health; Apple’s BCI protocol; Syn57 & Constructive Bio; Senator on Bioweapons; Willy Wonka

Jul 16, 2025

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1/10: CRISPR to treat down syndrome

Japanese scientists removed the extra chromosome responsible for Down syndrome in iPSCs and fibroblasts grown in-vitro using CRISPR-Cas9. Since several genes exhibit differential expression between alleles of parental origin, the edits had to be allele-specific to mitigate the risk of imprinting disorders.

Metaphase karyotype analysis using microscopy before and after treating iPS cells with the M2-AS × 13 vector. A) Metaphase capture of G-banding and karyogram of the original trisomy 21 iPS cell line. The cells show karyotypes of 47,XY,+21 in 19 (100%) out of 19 metaphases. B) Representative snapshots of metaphase after M2-AS × 13 treatment on the original trisomy 21 cells. These show karyotypes of 47,XY,+21 in 25 (62.5%) and those of 46,XY in 15 (37.5%) of 40 metaphases. G-banding analysis did not detect any apparent structural variants or additional numerical chromosomal abnormalities. — Metaphase karyotypes before and after treating iPSCs

2/10: Copper reversed Parkinson’s in mice

In Parkinson’s patients, the misfolded antioxidant enzyme SOD1 accumulates in the brain causing damage to dopamine neurons. Since copper is crucial for the protein’s functioning and its reduced availability is drives the development of this disease, this study designed CuATSM for copper supplementation to brain tissue. Mice that received it showed no alterations in their movement and SOD1 restored functioning.

3/10: Samphire Neuroscience’s $5M seed

“Nettle is the world’s first brain stimulating headband for at-home alleviation of PMS and period pain symptoms. Available to buy in the UK and across the EU, Nettle is also undergoing clinical trials in PMDD and endometriosis populations”.

Two electrodes stimulate the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex to improve emotional regulation, while two others activate the insula via the motor cortex to ease pain. 20 minutes a day mimic brain activity during the follicular phase = improved mood and increased energy.

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