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ICAR, Penn State team makes a tool small enough to edit plant genomes
For Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international events
For Mains Examination: GS III - Science & technology
Context:
Researchers have developed a plant genome editor consisting of a protein derived from Deinococcus radiodurans bacteria — famous for being able to survive extreme conditions. The protein is less than half the size of the proteins CRISPR commonly uses to target specific parts of the DNA
Read about:
What is CRISPR Technology?
What is Genome Editing?
Key takeaways:
CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) technology is a revolutionary tool used in genetics for editing genomes. It allows scientists to alter DNA sequences and modify gene function with unprecedented precision
Here’s a brief overview:
CRISPR was first discovered as part of the immune system in bacteria. Bacteria use CRISPR sequences to remember viruses that have attacked them before. If the virus attacks again, the bacteria produce RNA segments from the CRISPR sequences to target and cut the virus's DNA, neutralizing the threat
How It Works
- Cas9 Protein: The CRISPR system is commonly associated with a protein called Cas9 (CRISPR-associated protein 9), which acts like molecular scissors. Cas9 can be programmed to cut DNA at specific locations.
- Guide RNA (gRNA): This is a custom RNA sequence that guides Cas9 to the exact spot in the DNA where the cut needs to be made.
- DNA Editing: Once the DNA is cut, the cell naturally tries to repair the break. During this repair process, scientists can introduce new genetic material or disable a gene, effectively editing the genome.
Applications
- Medical Research: CRISPR is used to study genes and their functions, model diseases, and even explore gene therapy options to treat genetic disorders.
- Agriculture: It’s used to create crops with desirable traits, such as disease resistance or enhanced nutritional content.
- Biomedical Advances: CRISPR holds potential for treating diseases like cancer, HIV, and genetic disorders like cystic fibrosis and sickle cell anemia.
- argeting a Specific DNA Sequence