A new enzyme has been discovered that can be used to edit RNA, the genetic material found in many viruses. This enzyme, called a “reverse transcriptase,” can be used to make changes in the genetic code of viruses such as HIV, influenza, and hepatitis C. This could open up a new avenue of research into the development of treatments for viral diseases, as well as new methods of controlling the spread of these viruses. This discovery also has implications for the development of gene therapies, as it could potentially be used to manipulate the expression of certain genes in order to treat genetic diseases.

Read Full Article Here

source: Phys.org