--- title: "CRISPR Could Make You Immune to the Flu" description: "Researchers in Seattle, Washington developed a new technique to artificially create antibodies by editing the DNA of so-called B cells." date: "2019-02-15" modified: "2019-02-15" authors: - name: "Victor Tangermann" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor" url: "https://futurism.com/neoscope/crispr-immune-flu-vaccine-antibodies" categories: - "Health & Medicine" tags: - "CRISPR" - "flu virus" - "gene-editing" - "the digest" --- # CRISPR Could Make You Immune to the Flu ![Researchers in Seattle, Washington developed a new technique to artificially create antibodies by editing the DNA of so-called B cells.]() *\Image: NIAID/Tag Hartman-Simkins\* ## Flu Vaccine Vaccines for bacterial and viral infections are extremely difficult to develop. But thanks to gene-editing, we could soon be able to make people immune to the flu or even HIV. Researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, Washington developed a new technique to artificially create improved and longer-lasting antibodies by editing the DNA of so-called B cells — the immune system's white blood cells responsible for creating antibodies. ## Donor B Cells The technique could eventually allow healthcare professionals to pass a major hurdle: many conventional antibody treatments are only effective for a short period of time — antibodies tend to break down quickly, requiring additional injections later down the line. In contrast, scientists believe that these new antibodies could one day only need to be injected once. According to a [preprint of the research]() published in the journal *bioRxiv* earlier this month, an initial trial involving 15 mice delivered promising results: 82 days of protection against the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) — a respiratory tract infection that can prove dangerous to both children and adults. ## A Growing Trend Editing the DNA of B cells is a rapidly growing trend, *New Scientist* [points out](). Multiple research teams are in a race to become the first to test the technique in human trials. Scientists will have to prove the technique is safe first — and that will likely take a number of years. But if it ever does become a treatment for humans, "thousands of hospital visits, disabilities, and deaths could be prevented each year," reads the preprint. **READ MORE:** [CRISPR could help us protect ourselves from viruses like flu and HIV]() \[*New Scientist*\] ***More on CRISPR: [Tiny New CRISPR Protein Could Make Human Gene-Hacking Less Risky]()*** ## Author I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()