Scientists edit mitochondrial DNA to reverse genetic diseases which often have no cure

Scientists edit mitochondrial DNA to reverse genetic diseases which often have no cure

For decades, the dream of fixing harmful mutations in mitochondrial DNA felt out of reach. Scientists have long known these mutations cause serious diseases that pass down only through mothers. They also play a role in cancer and many conditions related to aging. But unlike normal DNA in the cell nucleus, mitochondrial DNA sits behind a protective barrier. Standard genetic editing tools like CRISPR cannot reach it. Now, researchers from the Neth…