A new ‘Star Wars’ trilogy is coming from ‘The Last Jedi’ director

The Last Jedi helmer Rian Johnson has signed on to write and direct a new trilogy within the Star Wars universe, Disney announced today . There aren’t any details to share about the new project yet, but the company explicitly noted that it’ll feature new characters and be completely separate from the Skywalker saga. If anything, the new spin-off trilogy is a sign that the company was pleased with his work on The Last Jedi , which hits theaters on December 5th. “We all loved working with Rian on The Last Jedi , ” Kathleen Kennedy, president of Lucasfilm, said in a statement. “He’s a creative force, and watching him craft The Last Jedi from start to finish was one of the great joys of my career. Rian will do amazing things with the blank canvas of this new trilogy.” Source: Disney

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A new ‘Star Wars’ trilogy is coming from ‘The Last Jedi’ director

New CRISPR tool alters RNA for wider gene editing applications

The CRISPR gene editing technique can be used for all sorts of amazing things by targeting your DNA. Scientists are using it in experimental therapies for ALS and Huntington’s disease , ways to let those with celiac disease process gluten proteins and possibly assist in more successful birth rates . Now, according to a paper published in Science , researchers have found a way to target and edit RNA, a different genetic molecule that has implications in many degenerative disorders like ALS. Apparently, edits with this new tool (CRISPR-Cas13) can be safer as they don’t result in permanent changes to your genetic makeup like other DNA-based CRISPR techniques can. This system, called REPAIR, works more efficiently in human cells, as well. RNA is implicated in various diseases like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), myotonic dystrophy and Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS), so fixing it could show positive results in treating these types of disorders. “REPAIR presents a promising RNA editing platform with broad applicability for research, therapeutics, and biotechnology, ” wrote the researchers. Via: The Verge Source: Science

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New CRISPR tool alters RNA for wider gene editing applications