A recent gene editing method called CRISPR-Cas9 is a technology that allows scientists to alter DNA. Using technology like this makes it possible for genetic data to be edited at specific parts of the genome. This editing entails the removing, adding, and altering of current genetic material. CRISPR is short for clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats. Cas9 refers to the associated protein, CRISPR-associated protein 9. This system of gene editing was derived from a naturally occurring system in bacteria. Bacteria can take the genetic material of viruses and produce RNA segments referred to as CRISPR arrays. If the virus attacks again then the bacteria will use the CRISPR arrays to attack the virus DNA, then send the Cas9 protein to cleave the virus DNA, rendering it ineffective. In vitro, the process works similarly. Scientists will create guide strands of RNA with specific sequences to target specific sequences on strands of DNA. Once the DNA has been targeted, the associated enzyme will cleave this region of DNA. After the DNA has been cleaved, the cell’s own repair machinery is used to replace the missing segment. This cleave, then repair process is a huge breakthrough in the field of gene editing, allowing scientists to alter whichever segments of DNA that they can synthesize an RNA strand for.
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