Biomedical
What did CRISPR-Cas9 accomplish in its first 10 years?
Abstract
It’s been 10 years now from the debut of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-associated protein 9 (CRISPR/Cas9) era in which gene engineering has never been so accessible, precise and efficient. This technology, like a refined surgical procedure, has offered the ability of removing different types of disease causing mutations and restoring key proteins activity with ease of outperforming the previous resembling methods: zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs) and transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs). Additionally, CRISPR-Cas9 systems can systematically introduce genetic sequences to the specific sites in the human genome allowing to stimulate desired functions such as anti-tumoral and anti-infectious faculties. The present brief review provides an updated resume of CRISPR-Cas9’s top achievements from its first appearance to the current date focusing on the breakthrough research including in vitro, in vivo and human studies. This enables the evaluation of the previous phase ‘the proof-of-concept phase’ and marks the beginning of the next phase which will probably bring a spate of clinical trials.
Key Questions
1. What is the primary objective of the study?
The study aims to review the achievements of CRISPR-Cas9 technology from its inception to the present, focusing on its applications in gene editing and therapy.
2. What methodology was employed in the research?
The author conducted a literature review, analyzing in vitro, in vivo, and human studies to assess the progress and impact of CRISPR-Cas9 technology.
3. What were the main findings of the study?
CRISPR-Cas9 has revolutionized gene editing by enabling precise and efficient removal of disease-causing mutations and restoration of protein activity. The technology has outperformed previous methods like zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs) and transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs). CRISPR-Cas9 systems can systematically introduce genetic sequences to specific sites in the human genome, facilitating desired functions such as anti-tumoral and anti-infectious activities.
Summary
Khlidj (2023) provides a comprehensive overview of CRISPR-Cas9's first decade, highlighting its transformative impact on gene editing and therapy. The review underscores the technology's precision, efficiency, and potential in treating various diseases, marking the transition from proof-of-concept studies to clinical trials.
