Nature suggests a number of science events to watch for in the new year. Among the developments set to shape biomedical research in 2023 we will hopefully welcome next-generation mRNA-based vaccines, the updated list of WHO priority pathogens and promising candidate drugs for Alzheimer’s. Gene editing is also not missing, with the the first approval of a CRISPR-based therapy a mere 10 years after the Doudna-Charpentier invention (more about exa-cel here).

With 2023 also come bad news for a different trial launched by Graphite Bio, aiming to cure sickle cell disease by directly correcting the mutation in the adult form of hemoglobin instead of restarting fetal hemoglobin production. The trial was paused due to a serious adverse event in the first patient dosed.