In Virginia, researchers have found a way to analyze gene mutations for cancer patients more quickly than ever before so that medicines and treatments can be customized for each patient as fast as possible. Doctors and scientists often wondered why one patient gets better with a certain medicine while another patient with the same disease doesn’t get better on the medicine, which is where this gene mutation analyzing comes in handy. While CRISPR gene editing methods are typically used, this new approach is not only faster, but more cost-effective so researchers can quickly find out what genetic mutation a patient has so they can use precision medicine.
Researchers used the new method on one particular gene already that is connected with tumor development, but they hope it will help with other diseases as well like Alzheimer’s, cystic fibrosis and other cancers.