Genetic Engineering Publications - GEG Tech top picks

In this study, the scientists used highly efficient targeted chromosomal deletions induced by the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing tool to characterise two functional enhancers: FOXP2-Eproximal and FOXP2-Edistal, located in the intergenic region between FOXP2 and its adjacent MDFIC gene. Deletion of any of these two functional enhancers in a neuroectodermal tumor cell-line downregulates FOXP2 and decreases FOXP2 protein levels, conversely it upregulates MDFIC and increases MDFIC protein levels. The authors expect these findings contribute to a deeper understanding of FOXP2 and MDFIC may pace the development of speech and language in the brain.