Cell-type-directed design of synthetic enhancers. (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-06936-2)

These scientists wanted to understand how certain parts of our genes, called enhancers, work. Enhancers are like docking stations that help control when and where specific genes are turned on or off in our bodies. The scientists used a special type of computer program called deep learning models to help them design artificial enhancers.

First, they started with random sequences of DNA, which are the building blocks of genes. Then, using the deep learning models, they optimized these random sequences to create enhancers that would specifically target certain cells in the brains of fruit flies. They also made enhancers that could target two different types of cells at the same time, and even made very small enhancers that were still able to work.

By studying the process of optimizing the enhancer sequences, the scientists were able to learn more about how enhancers work. They looked at things like the strength of certain molecules called transcription factors and how they interact with the enhancers. They also discovered that similar rules apply to human enhancers, not just those of fruit flies.

Overall, this study helped the scientists understand more about how enhancers function and how they can be manipulated to change the behavior of cells.

Taskiran II., Spanier KI., Dickmanken H., Kempynck N., Pancikova A., Eksi EC., Hulselmans G., Ismail JN., Theunis K., Vandepoel R., Christiaens V., Mauduit D., Aerts S. Cell-type-directed design of synthetic enhancers. Nature. 2024 Feb;626(7997):212-220. doi: 10.1038/s41586-023-06936-2. Epub 2023 Dec 12.