CRISPR is a molecular tool that can make precise changes to a gene’s DNA.
Hours of research by our editors, distilled into minutes of clarity.
One of the most significant advances in modern medical science, CRISPR is a molecular tool for making precise changes to a gene’s DNA. The technology has already been approved for treating sickle-cell disease.
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The system uses RNA sequences to guide enzymes like Cas9 to specific spots in DNA, where they cut or modify genes. Unlike Cas9, the Cpf1 enzyme makes staggered cuts, which helps insert new DNA more cleanly.
Jennifer Doudna's research uncovered how bacteria use the tool as an immune defense by cutting viral DNA. She and Emmanuelle Charpentier received the 2020 Nobel Prize in chemistry for showing how this mechanism could be engineered to target and edit genes in living cells.
CRISPR is a revolutionary gene-editing technology already making a real-world impact in helping to treat several diseases and conditions. This simulation provides a microscopic view to help easily visualize the complex science.
The human genome contains over six billion DNA letters, organized into 46 chromosomes inherited from both parents. Genes—sections of DNA—serve as templates for making proteins, and variations in these sequences can affect how our bodies work or respond to the environment.
Victoria Gray was the first patient to receive a CRISPR-based therapy, which eliminated her symptoms and restored her health. The therapy's initial cost of $2.2M has kept it out of reach of many patients.
The clinical trials are designed to determine whether experimental CRISPR-related therapies are safe and effective. The majority of trials involve treatments for blood disorders, including beta thalassemia.
Environmental factors like X-ray exposure may break a strand of DNA, but cells can use a sister strand to patch the damage. Scientists exploit this system by introducing custom DNA templates, which cells use instead to make repairs.
When viruses called phages inject DNA into bacteria, some bacterial species store bits of this DNA in their own genomes. This allows them to recognize and destroy the same virus if it attacks again.
Researchers are using CRISPR to test thousands of plant gene edits, aiming to speed up breeding and maximize carbon retention in soil. By engineering drought tolerance, they also aim to increase crop yields and expand the environments where crops can grow.
Since the time our ancient human relatives began using stone tools to perform tasks, humans have harnessed scientific knowledge and new technologies to advance our ability to feed ourselves, increase our health, expand the boundaries of our knowledge, and much more. From artificial intelligence and quantum computing, to optimizing the human body in pursuit of a long and healthy life, and much more—learn about these topics and more with our smart-but-digestible overviews and expert-curated resources.