What Exactly Are Crispr-cas9 And Genome Editing?

•    Genome editing, also known as gene editing, refers to a range of scientific techniques that enable the modification of an organism's DNA. At specific sites in the genome, these technologies enable the addition, removal, or modification of genetic material. There are several methods for genome editing that have been developed. 

 

•    CRISPR-Cas9, which stands for clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats and CRISPR-associated protein 9, is a well-known example. Because it is quicker, less expensive, more precise, and more effective than existing genome editing techniques, the CRISPR-Cas9 system has sparked a lot of interest in the scientific community.

 

•    A naturally occurring genome editing system that bacteria deploy as an immunological response is the basis for CRISPR-Cas9. Bacteria that are virus-infected seize tiny bits of the viruses' DNA and splice it into their own DNA in a specific pattern to form sections known as CRISPR arrays. The bacteria can "remember" the viruses thanks to the CRISPR arrays (or closely related ones). 

 

•    In the event of a subsequent virus attack, the bacteria create RNA segments from CRISPR arrays that can recognize and bind to particular sections of the viral DNA. The virus is then rendered inoperable by the bacteria's employment of Cas9 or a related enzyme to split the DNA.

 

•    This immune system's defense was modified by researchers to modify DNA. Similar to the RNA segments bacteria produce from the CRISPR array, they produce a tiny bit of RNA with a short "guide" sequence that connects (binds) to a particular target region in a cell's DNA. Additionally, this guide RNA binds to the Cas9 enzyme. 

 

•    Similar to how the Cas9 enzyme works in bacteria, when the guide RNA is delivered into cells, it detects the desired DNA sequence and causes the DNA to be cut at the desired spot. Other enzymes, such as ‘’Cpf1’’, can also be employed, albeit Cas9 is the one that is most frequently used. Once the DNA has been damaged, scientists can add or remove genetic material or replace the DNA by replacing an existing segment with a unique DNA sequence using the cell's own DNA repair mechanism.

 

•    The prevention and treatment of human diseases is a major area of focus for genome editing. Genome editing is currently employed in research facilities to study diseases in cells and animal models. Researchers are currently figuring out whether this method is secure and efficient for usage in people. For a wide range of illnesses, including single-gene diseases like cystic fibrosis, haemophilia, and sickle cell disease, it is being investigated in research and clinical trials. Additionally, it shows promise in the management and avoidance of more complicated illnesses like cancer, heart disease, mental illness, and HIV infection.

 

•    When human genomes are edited using tools like CRISPR-Cas9, there are ethical questions that are raised. The majority of genome editing's modifications are only made to somatic cells, which are cells other than egg and sperm cells (germline cells). Only specific tissues are affected by these alterations, and they are not passed down from one generation to the next.

 

•    However, alterations made to the genes of an embryo, sperm, or egg cells may be passed on to next generations. Genome editing of germ cells and developing embryos raises a number of ethical issues, such as whether it would be acceptable to utilize this technology to improve typical human qualities (such as height or intelligence). Germline cell and embryo genome editing are now prohibited in the United States and many other nations due to ethical and safety concerns.