CRISPR Technology: Advances and Applications in Ge...
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CRISPR Technology: Advances and Applications in Gene Editing
Abstract
CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) technology has revolutionized the field of genetics and molecular biology, offering unprecedented precision in genome editing. Since its discovery, CRISPR has been rapidly adopted for various applications, including genetic research, medicine, agriculture, and biotechnology. This review summarizes the latest advancements in CRISPR technology, highlighting its mechanisms, recent innovations, therapeutic potentials, ethical considerations, and future prospects. The discussion also explores the challenges and limitations currently faced in the application of CRISPR and the ongoing efforts to overcome these hurdles.
Introduction
CRISPR-Cas9, first identified in bacterial adaptive immune systems, has transformed our ability to manipulate genetic material with high specificity and efficiency. The core components of CRISPR include the Cas9 nuclease and a single-guide RNA (sgRNA) that directs the Cas9 to a specific DNA sequence. This system allows for targeted modifications, such as gene knockout, insertion, and correction, making it a versatile tool in genetic engineering. Since its advent, CRISPR technology has rapidly expanded beyond basic research to potential clinical applications, fostering a new era of genomic medicine and biotechnological innovation.
Mechanisms of CRISPR-Cas9
The CRISPR-Cas9 system operates by recognizing and binding to a protospacer adjacent motif (PAM) sequence in the target DNA. The sgRNA-Cas9 complex induces a double-strand break at the target site, which can be repaired through non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) or homology-directed repair (HDR). NHEJ often results in insertions or deletions (indels), leading to gene disruption, while HDR allows for precise genetic modifications u