Daijiworld Media Network - Philadelphia

Philadelphia, May 17: A nine-month-old baby suffering from a rare and deadly genetic disease has been successfully treated with a customised gene-editing therapy by a team led by Indian-origin cardiologist Dr Kiran Musunuru. Using the precise CRISPR base editing technique, Dr Musunuru repaired the faulty gene without cutting the DNA, marking a world-first in medical treatment.

Dr Kiran Musunuru, associate professor of Cardiovascular Medicine and Genetics at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine, hails from a family of doctors originally from Andhra Pradesh. He combines deep expertise in genetics and cardiovascular medicine with interdisciplinary education including epidemiology, law, and regulatory affairs.

Known for his pioneering research in gene therapies for heart diseases, Dr Musunuru has received several prestigious awards including the Presidential Early Career Award presented by former US President Barack Obama. He has also served as editor-in-chief of Circulation: Genomic and Precision Medicine, a leading journal in the field.

This breakthrough therapy offers fresh hope for infants with fatal genetic disorders and represents a significant advance in the field of precision medicine.