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CRISPR Technology
- FMPW Bloggers
- Feb 27, 2023
- 3 min read
Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) technology modified genetic information in some bacterial species along with other organisms. CRISPR technology edits genes by cutting DNA and then letting the natural DNA repair processes do its thing. This allows genetic material to be added, removed, or altered. CRISPR has proven to be a much faster, more accurate, much more efficient method of editing genomes.
How is CRISPR used?
Genome editing is essential to help prevent and treat conditions and diseases in humans. Many diseases may be passed down genetically through our DNA or they simply give us a higher risk of receiving certain conditions. Additionally, genome editing has proven to be incredibly helpful in scientists’ studies regarding cells and animal models to further understand diseases. By using CRISPR, scientists are able to edit genes and remove certain genes that could be harmful to the organism and add other genes. They may completely modify the gene as well as long as it leads to positive results. Because of CRISPR’s efficiency, it holds the potential of treating and preventing more complex diseases such as cancer and HIV.
How does CRISPR work?
Now let’s get to the actual science of the matter! There are many components to CRISPR and how it edits our genes. So what are the biological components to CRISPR?
Cas9 - This is an incredibly important enzyme in gene editing! Cas9 is an enzyme that acts like a pair of scissors and cuts DNA at a specific location.
Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) - Commonly referred to as DNA, this molecule is extremely complex. It is the molecule most multi-celled organisms use to store genetic information.
Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) - This is a molecule that is related to DNA. DNA is translated into RNA to help code for the proteins our body needs.
Guide RNA (gRNA) - This a type of RNA molecule that binds to Cas9. In order for Cas9 to cut DNA at the correct location, gRNA must be present. The sequence of the gRNA will be the location where the Cas9 will cut.
There are three main methods in which CRISPR edits genes:
Disrupting - This method is when Cas9 makes a single cut in the DNA sequence. A process known as non-homologous end joining will then occur, leading to either the addition or deletion of base pairs. This disrupts the original DNA sequence and leads to the inactivation of certain genes.
Deleting - Just like the name says, this is when a certain fragment of DNA is completely deleted. This can occur when two gRNAs target separate sites. Once Cas9 cuts the DNA at each site, the DNA fragment between both sites is then “deleted.” Non-homologous end joining joins the separate ends in the end, effectively removing certain genes from the DNA sequence.
Correcting/Inserting - This method adds a completely different DNA template alongside the CRISPR machinery. This allows the cell to either change/correct a gene or even insert a new one. As a result, unwanted genes are modified and better ones are added into the DNA sequence.
Risks of CRISPR and genetic editing
While the CRISPR sounds like a revolutionary and amazing change in the medical industry, it does come with some concerns. One of the main concerts is that genome editing is currently limited to just altering somatic cells, meaning all cells except for egg and sperm cells. As a result, these genetic changes will not be passed down to the next generation. Though, germline and embryo editing has arisen through different technologies, allowing gene alterations to be passed down to future generations. That being said, genetic editing has brought up some ethical concerns. It has especially raised questions if it would become possible for this technology to enhance normal human traits such as height, intelligence, or physical appearance. Because of these concerns, germline cell and embryo genome editing are illegal in many countries around the world.
What’s next for CRISPR?
As of now, CRISPR has a bright future ahead and it has immense potential. Especially in cancer, due to the effectiveness and efficiency of CRISPR, it has the promise to be a massive step towards cancer treatment. However, this technology is still fairly recent, so there is still much to be discovered and improved! That being said, the ethics are still fairly questionable to this day, so the future of CRISPR as of now is still a mystery.
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