CRISPR/Cas9 Gene Editing Mechanism

CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) is a revolutionary gene editing technology inspired by the adaptive immune system of bacteria. In nature, bacteria use CRISPR to store fragments of viral DNA, enabling them to recognize and defend against future infections.

In gene editing applications, the CRISPR system employs a guide RNA (gRNA) that is specifically designed to be complementary to a target DNA sequence within the genome. This gRNA directs the Cas9 protein—often referred to as “molecular scissors”—to the precise location in the DNA.

Upon recognizing a short sequence known as the protospacer adjacent motif (PAM), Cas9 binds to the DNA and introduces a double-strand break (DSB) at the target site. The cell then activates its natural DNA repair mechanisms, primarily through one of two pathways:
 

• Non-Homologous End Joining (NHEJ): An error-prone repair process that can introduce insertions or deletions (indels), often disrupting the gene and resulting in a functional knockout.
• Homology-Directed Repair (HDR): A more precise repair pathway that requires a donor DNA template. This allows accurate insertion, replacement, or correction of genetic sequences.

This programmable, efficient, and versatile system has transformed genome engineering, enabling researchers to study gene function, develop disease models, and explore therapeutic interventions.

Applications of CRISPR Technology

CRISPR technology has revolutionized gene editing with its wide-ranging applications in both research and clinical development. Key applications include:

Advantages of CRISPR Technology

Compared to earlier gene-editing tools like ZFNs and TALENs, CRISPR/Cas offers several critical advantages, making it the platform of choice in modern molecular biology:


PRODUCTS：

• Gene Editing mRNA  ➡︎ 

ARTICLE：

• The Power of Cas9 Variants  ➡︎