• Researchers at Michigan State University (MSU) have successfully applied CRISPR-based genome editing to Nile grass rats, a diurnal rodent with sleep patterns similar to humans.
• This breakthrough offers potential benefits for preclinical research, as the sleep patterns of Nile grass rats more closely mirror those of humans compared to nocturnal laboratory mice.
• MSU's unique Nile grass rat colony, established in 1993, has been shared with over 20 research labs worldwide and serves as a valuable resource for studying various biological processes.