Saturday, 30 July 2022

Heart to Heart

Genetic cardiomyopathy is an inherited heart muscle defect (https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/jul/29/genetic-heart-conditions-could-be-cured-first-time-defining-moment). More than quarter of a million people in the UK suffer from cardiomyopathy. This condition can cause sudden death. Probably most of the 12 UK people under 35 who die from an undiagnosed heart condition have the genetic defect. in other cases, Cardiomyopathy produces progressive heart failure. In mouse studies this inherited condition can be rectified by gene editing. Base and prime genetic editing can switch off the faulty genes, allowing normal heart muscle function. The change occurs after a single injection. The British Heart Foundation have now given a £30m grant to a team of scientists from the UK, US and Singapore, to develop this treatment for human patients. If it works it would be a real 'game changer'.
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