CRISPR-Cas9 technology genetic manipulation
CRISPR technology ( کریسپر ) is a part of the bacterial immune system that can cut DNA and be used as a gene editing tool. The technology acts as a pair of precise molecular scissors that can cut a target DNA sequence guided by a customizable guide.
What is CRISPR?
The system consists of two key parts: a CRISPR-associated nuclease (Cas) that binds and cuts DNA, and a guide RNA (gRNA) sequence that directs the Cas nuclease to its target. The technology was discovered in the bacterial immune system, where it cuts the DNA of invading viruses called bacteriophages and renders them inoperable.
Once the molecular mechanism for its ability to cleave DNA was discovered, it was quickly developed as a tool for genome editing. CRISPR technology is important because it allows scientists to rewrite the genetic code in any organism.
CRISPR is simpler, cheaper, and more precise than previous gene-editing techniques. It also has a wide range of real-world applications, including treating genetic diseases and creating drought-resistant crops.
History and discovery of CRISPR
Today, CRISPR technology is known as a precision gene editing tool, but it took scientists years to understand what it was and how to harness its potential. The technology was discovered by Dr. Jennifer Doudna and Dr. Emmanuel Charpentier.
How does the CRISPR mechanism work?
The CRISPR system is the basis of adaptive immunity in bacteria. The technology uses Cas nucleases, which are enzymes that can bind to each other and create double-strand breaks (DSBs) in DNA. When a bacterium is infected by a virus, it uses a Cas nuclease to cut out a piece of viral DNA known as a protospacer.
In CRISPR technology, this fragment is stored in the bacterial genome, along with fragments from other viruses that have previously infected the cell, creating an immune memory. These viral spacer fragments are sandwiched between repeated palindromic sequences, and this arrangement of spacers and palindromic repeats is what gives CRISPR its name.
Future successes of Crispr
Every day brings new insights into the future of CRISPR. Dr. Doudna and Dr. Charpentier have revealed the molecular mechanism that enables the natural CRISPR-Cas9 system to cut DNA. But the question remains: if Cas9 is given a different guide RNA sequence, can CRISPR technology be used to make any desired cut?
For example, for a position in the genome of a living organism? Their theory turned out to be correct and the results were groundbreaking. Stay tuned to RebinWeb to study the latest technologies in the world.