FYI only

Stunning.
Experimental non gene solution to mutated genes (including Cystic Fibrosis).

1/3 of health affecting human mutations are caused by a spurious stop codon
which causes mRNA transcription to stop early and produce an incorrect
protein.

It was found that the antibiotic Gentamicin blocked the action of stop
codons in intermediate positions. They have now developed an experimental
drug named PTC124 with the same action but far fewer side effects than
Gentamicin.

Gene therapy without genes :-)

        http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99994269

Has the prospect to treat a significant number of genetic diseases.



____________________________________

Russell McMahon
Source: New Scientist.

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