Glossary · Sinh học
CRISPR
A technology research scientists use to selectively modify the DNA of living organisms: a guide RNA directs the Cas9 enzyme to the targeted DNA sequence, and Cas9 cuts the genome there. In nature, CRISPR is used by bacteria as an immune system to kill invading viruses; it has now been adapted for use in the lab.
CRISPR was not invented from nothing. In nature, CRISPR is used by bacteria as an immune system to kill invading viruses; it has now been adapted for use in the lab.
How it is used: researchers create a short RNA template that matches a target DNA sequence in the genome. That RNA portion, called a guide RNA, directs the Cas9 enzyme to the targeted sequence, and Cas9 cuts the genome at this location to make the edit. NHGRI describes CRISPR as simpler, faster, cheaper and more accurate than older genome editing methods, and dates its invention to 2009.
The applications are not only editing. NHGRI notes another: using CRISPR to detect COVID RNA without making copies up front or performing gene amplification.