epigenetic editing

Researchers report that 'epigenetic' editing — altering gene activity without cutting DNA — can silence and eliminate hepatitis B virus. The approach targets the virus's genetic material in infected liver cells, raising hopes for a functional cure for the hundreds of millions living with chronic hepatitis B, a leading cause of liver cancer.

Epigenetic editing, which alters gene activity without changing DNA sequence, is reported to be advancing toward clinical application as bioengineering tools mature. The development suggests researchers are getting closer to therapies that could switch genes on or off to treat disease, a potentially safer alternative to DNA-cutting technologies like CRISPR gene editing.