Coffee is in your genes

 

Some people like coffee more than others. Now, don't be concerned about the title of this post, because even if you drink a lot of coffee, it won't alter your DNA.

However, researchers have used caffeine to control gene manipulation with CRISPR.  And here I thought caffeine was just a stimulant.

It's called chemogenetics -- and the article I'm about to cite says this:

"Chemogenetics refers to the ability to control cellular behavior using externally applied, small molecules — often drugs or dietary compounds — that activate genetically engineered switches inside cells. Unlike traditional drugs that broadly affect many tissues, chemogenetic approaches are designed to act only on cells that have been genetically programmed to respond."

Smart readers are already anticipating what comes next -- caffeine is the small molecule being used to activate the genetic switch.  Let's see how.

"Zhou’s newest research builds on existing knowledge of genetic “switches” within cells by introducing a new chemogenetic approach that uses CRISPR and caffeine. The process begins with installing the cells in advance. Genes encoding the nanobody, its matching target protein and the CRISPR machinery are delivered using established gene-transfer methods, allowing cells to produce these components on their own. Once this molecular framework is in place, the process can be externally controlled. When a person later consumes a 20 mg dose of caffeine — such as from coffee, chocolate or a soda — it triggers a nanobody and its matching target protein to bind together, thereby activating CRISPR-driven gene modifications inside cells." 

Cool, right?   What could that help with?

"When an engineered nanobody protein can be switched on by caffeine, it’s called a “caffebody.” By harnessing the power of these caffebodies, Zhou says scientists may someday be able to treat a range of diseases. In the long term, he believes it may be possible to engineer cells that allow people with diabetes to boost insulin production simply by drinking a cup of coffee."

I think I'll have a cup of coffee while I think about this.

Reference: Wang T, Nonomura T, Cui M, et al. Reprogramming chemically induced dimerization systems with genetically encoded nanobodies. Chemical Science 2025;16(46):21774-21780. doi: 10.1039/D5SC05703E