July 31, 2025
A team at MIT has successfully edited the genes of gut bacteria inside live mice—without removing or culturing the microbes.
The researchers engineered virus-like particles to deliver CRISPR-Cas systems into targeted bacteria in the intestine. This allowed them to precisely knock out a single gene without disrupting the broader microbiome.
“This opens the door to personalized gut therapies,” said lead author Dr. David T. Riglar.
The technique could eventually be used to treat conditions like inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes, and even neurological disorders linked to gut health.
The work appears in Nature Biotechnology, and future studies will focus on improving delivery accuracy in humans.
