CRISPR Gene Editing
- Title
- CRISPR Gene Editing
- Description
CRISPR Gene Editing
CRISPR-Cas9 is a revolutionary gene-editing technology that allows precise modification of DNA sequences in living organisms.
Key Facts
- Acronym: CRISPR stands for Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats.
- Mechanism: The Cas9 protein acts as molecular scissors to cut DNA at a highly specific target location.
- Development: Developed as a programmable gene-editing tool around 2012 by Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier, building on earlier bacterial research.
- Nobel Prize: They were awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2020 for this discovery.
- Applications: Used for treating genetic disorders, developing resilient crops, cancer immunotherapy, and drug discovery.
- Clinical Milestone: In 2023, the FDA approved Casgevy, the first-ever CRISPR-based therapy, to treat sickle cell disease and beta-thalassemia.
- Category
- Biology
- Year of Discovery/Development
- 2012
- Key Person/Organization
- Jennifer Doudna & Emmanuelle Charpentier