CRISPR gene editing
CRISPR Gene Editing
These are portions of DNA molecules of every
living cell including microorganisms, plants, and animals. In people, genes
affect a variety of traits. Humanity can alter genes. Plants are being cross-breed in different ways to make
them more portable. Changing the DNA
sequence within the gene of humans using a tool called CRISPR gene editing is one of the technological approaches in biotechnology.
CRISPR technology
CRISPR gene editing was first detected in the bacterium. The word CRISPR technology consists
of
C= Clustered S=Short
R=Regular P=Palindromic
I=Interspaced
R=Repeat
It consists of tiny DNA fragments consisting of 20 to 30
base pairs. When DNA is transcribed to RNA. So we have got repetition. These
are the same repeated segments but they are interspaced. Between these spaces, there
is spacer DNA. Spacer
DNA makes a pair with viral DNA. The identified CRISPR –related genes
consist of Cas genes that are coded as proteins. The Cas proteins are wounded
around the DNA double helix strand. The Cas protein function as a helicase. These proteins unzip the DNA strand and then
an enzyme called nuclease makes a cut in DNA.
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| CRISPR Technology |
Process of CRISPR Cas 9 gene editing
CRISPR gene editing is quicker and simple. Inexpensive, and has enormous benefits. It operates by locating and chopping DNA fragments. Changing the DNA sequence within the gene.
The DNA is altered by an enzyme called cas9 and an additional DNA strand is added at the same time. DNA unzipping will allow cas9 to link to its target sequence. If the pairing is successful, cas9 will cut the DNA with two small molecular scissors.
When this occurs cell tries to patch up
the damage, however, the mending procedure is prone to mistakes, producing
changes that could deactivate the gene.
A functional copy of the defective gene is inserted. This can be
accomplished by including a further DNA strand that carries the preferred
order.
This DNA template can combine with cut ends after the CRISPR technology has performed a cut, replacing the existing sequence with the new one. All of this is possible with cultured cells, especially cell lines that can develop into a variety of cell types. In a fertilized egg, it is also possible, to lead to the production of transgenic animals with specific mutations.
With CRISPR gene editing,
multiple genes can be targeted at one time, which is beneficial for researching
complicated human diseases that aren’t caused by mutant alleles but rather by
numerous genes working together. The benefits of CRISPR are widely used in
basic research, drug development, agriculture, and patient genetic treatment.
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| Process of CRISPR gene editing |
Advantages of CRISPR Gene Editing:
CRISPR gene editing has significant advancements in the health of
people. By using genomic techniques we can correct gene mutations that lead to
diseases in the future. Certain people can modify genes that lead to hereditary
disorders, develops new HIV- resistance, and be capable of growing in challenging
circumstances. An animal's resistance can be increased to sickness by modifying
its genes. Researchers are currently
aiming to prevent mosquitoes from transmitting malaria by editing their genes.
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Benefits of CRISPR gene editing:
One of the largest advancements in gene editing today in 2023 is CRISPR technology, which can change disease-causing genes and delete defective genetic code from that person’s future offspring.
Cancer Therapeutics: Genetic editing can be used to create
novel immunotherapies that treat cancer. Cancer cells can be found and eliminated
using CRISPR-modified T cells.
Inherited diseases: Using genome edition, researchers can
stop inherited illness from affecting progeny. Obesity-related disorders and
cystic fibrosis can be cured.
Drug Research: Genetic makeup may find new drugs. Some pharmaceutical
companies have used CRISPR technology in their medication discovery
and research processes.
Increase Lifespan:
Editing the human genome may increase lifespan.
Humans may live longer. There are some illnesses and disorders that can develop later
in life and ultimately lead to death. On a cellular level, genetic editing can
correct the causes of the body’s natural decline. So it has the potential to
increase later life span and quality.
Increased Food Production and Improved food quality:
Foods that can endure extreme temperatures and are nutrient-dense can be created through genetic engineering. It might be able to satisfy the significant food demands that nations could not meet. Edible vaccines would be added to boost the medical benefit of our food.
Designer Babies:
Early human embryos could be used to change genes to change trait that has no bearing on one’s health, such as the color of one’s eyes. These open doors for designer babies but altering an embryo’s gene would not have lasting effects. These methods could be employed to breed designer offspring and also produce dangerous microbial infections
Although there are many benefits of CRISPR for humans still, there are some ethical issues and social concerns regarding CRISPR gene editing in humans. The fact that people live longer and designer babies are causing social issues.
Future Revolution of CRISPR Gene Editing
CRISPR-Cas 9 gene has a high mistake rate and results in
dangerous mutations. Scientists have
made an advanced technique that minimizes mistakes by nicking DNA rather than
cutting it. CRISPR technology has created a revolution in gene therapy for a variety of diseases, increased crop productivity, and produced beneficial
microorganisms. It functions like
molecular scissors removing undesirable genes and replacing them with desirable
genes.
The issue here is that it can alter incorrect parts of DNA
resulting in an off-target mutation. It can result in health problems. The DNA
repairing will go wrong and result in on-target mutation even if it hits the
appropriate target.
The goal of the new work was to prevent both these problems by modifying molecular scissors to make a different cut. The new instrument makes two tiny nicks, each of which cuts one DNA strand, rather than a single large cut that passes through a double strand of base-pair spacing. These nicks are separated by safe 200-350 base pair spacing.
The research on T cells and hematopoietic stem
cells has demonstrated that this distance is ideal for reducing the effects of both
on and off-target errors. The new tool was better at eliminating errors than
CRISPR-Cas9 with on-target mutations appearing in only 2% of edits with spacer-nick
as opposed to over 40%. Off-target mutations were rare.
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