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2024-02-19 17:05

BERLIN, Germany, February 8, 2024 (ENS) - For the first time, a rhinoceros has successfully become pregnant following embryo transfer. Although the surrogate mother rhino died before she could give birth to the transferred calf, scientists say the successful embryo implantation paves the way for use of the same method to save the entire northern white rhino subspecies from extinction. %environment_news_service% news environment latest on forests, oceans, climate, wildlife, fisheries, transportation, business

Retroviruses integrate genes into host cells, becoming "endogenous" in germ cells.

<p><em>Retroviruses are viruses that multiply by incorporating their genes into the genome of a host cell. If the infected cell is a germ cell, the retrovirus can then be passed on to the next generation as an &ldquo;endogenous&rdquo; retrovirus (ERV) and spread as part of the host genome in that host species. In vertebrates, ERVs are ubiquitous and sometimes make up 10 per cent of the host genome. However, most retrovirus integrations are very old, already degraded and therefore inactive &ndash; their initial impact on host health has been minimised by millions of year...

Some hereditary genetic defects cause an exaggerated immune response that can be fatal. Using the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing tool, such defects can be corrected, thus normalizing the immune response, as researchers led by Klaus Rajewsky from the Max Delbrück Center now report in "Science Immunology."