We created special stem cell lines where two genes (MTHFR and MTR) were turned off. To make sure these new cells were still healthy and useful, we ran several tests:

1. Checking the genes worked as expected: We confirmed that the target proteins no longer functioned.
2. Stem cell "health check": We tested markers that show whether the cells were still true stem cells, and they were.
3. Ability to grow into other cell types: The cells could still develop into all three major types of tissues in the body (like normal stem cells do).
4. Cleanliness check: We made sure the cells weren’t contaminated with bacteria that could mess up results.
5. DNA check: We scanned their entire DNA to confirm there were no harmful accidental edits from the gene-editing process.

The modified stem cells are healthy, uncontaminated, and can still function like normal stem cells—just without the MTHFR or MTR genes.

This research has been shared at a variety of scientific conferences and funding has been secured to continue this research for another 2.5 years.