Brief Report - (2025) Volume 9, Issue 2
Received: 02-Mar-2025, Manuscript No. jgdr-26-179122;
Editor assigned: 04-Mar-2025, Pre QC No. P-179122;
Reviewed: 18-Mar-2025, QC No. Q-179122;
Revised: 24-Mar-2025, Manuscript No. R-179122;
Published:
31-Mar-2025
, DOI: 10.37421/2684-6039.2025.09.252
Citation: Khanna, Ravi. ”CRISPR: Revolutionizing Genome Editing and Beyond.” J Genet DNA Res 09 (2025):252.
Copyright: © 2025 Khanna R. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
CRISPR-Cas systems, notably Cas9, have dramatically advanced genome editing, providing remarkable precision and ease of use. Innovations have broadened their utility from simple gene knockout to gene insertion, correction, and even epigenetic modifications, impacting various scientific domains [1].
The advent of base editors, derived from CRISPR-Cas technology, facilitates precise single nucleotide alterations without inducing double-strand breaks. This advancement significantly minimizes off-target edits and enhances the efficiency of correcting point mutations responsible for numerous genetic disorders, offering a safer and more targeted gene correction method [2].
Prime editing represents a further evolution in genome editing accuracy, enabling all twelve types of base-to-base conversions and small insertions or deletions. Crucially, it does not require donor DNA templates or induce double-strand breaks, making it a highly versatile tool for correcting a broad spectrum of genetic mutations with exceptional fidelity [3].
CRISPR-based gene drives offer a potent strategy for modifying the genetic makeup of wild populations, presenting significant potential for disease vector control and conservation efforts. However, these capabilities necessitate careful ethical and ecological considerations, demanding rigorous assessment of their environmental impact before widespread implementation [4].
The application of CRISPR-Cas in cancer therapy is experiencing rapid development. Current strategies involve engineering immune cells for enhanced anti-tumor activity, such as CAR-T therapy, directly targeting oncogenic mutations within tumor cells, and developing CRISPR-based diagnostics for early cancer detection [5].
Delivering CRISPR-Cas components to target cells in vivo remains a primary challenge for its broader application. Efforts are focused on optimizing viral vectors like AAV and non-viral methods such as lipid nanoparticles to improve delivery efficiency, specificity, and reduce immunogenicity, thereby facilitating clinical translation [6].
CRISPR-based diagnostic tools are emerging as powerful platforms for swift and sensitive detection of pathogens and genetic markers. These systems exploit the specificity of guide RNAs to recognize target nucleic acids, paving the way for accurate point-of-care diagnostics [7].
CRISPR-based epigenome editing allows for targeted modification of epigenetic marks, including DNA methylation and histone modifications, without altering the underlying DNA sequence. This capability opens new avenues for understanding gene regulation and developing therapeutic strategies for diseases linked to epigenetic dysregulation [8].
The utilization of CRISPR in agriculture is revolutionizing crop improvement. It facilitates precise gene editing to enhance traits such as yield, nutritional content, disease resistance, and herbicide tolerance, thereby contributing to sustainable food production and addressing global food security concerns [9].
Addressing and mitigating off-target effects continues to be a critical area of research for CRISPR-Cas applications. Strategies to improve specificity involve engineering Cas variants, optimizing guide RNA design, and utilizing advanced bioinformatics tools for prediction and verification of off-target events, ensuring greater safety and efficacy [10].
CRISPR-Cas systems, particularly Cas9, have revolutionized genome editing with their exceptional precision and ease of use. These systems have evolved beyond simple gene knockout to encompass gene insertion, correction, and epigenetic modifications, finding applications in basic research, therapeutics for genetic diseases, agricultural biotechnology, and diagnostics. Continuous advancements in delivery methods and specificity are expanding the potential of this powerful technology [1].
The development of base editors, derived from CRISPR-Cas technology, enables precise single nucleotide changes without causing double-strand breaks. This significantly reduces off-target edits and increases the efficiency of correcting point mutations that underlie many genetic disorders, presenting a safer and more targeted approach to gene correction [2].
Prime editing represents a substantial leap in genome editing precision, allowing for all twelve types of base-to-base conversions and the introduction or deletion of small DNA sequences without the need for donor DNA templates or the induction of double-strand breaks. This high degree of versatility makes it an invaluable tool for correcting a wide array of genetic mutations with exceptional fidelity [3].
CRISPR-based gene drives provide a potent mechanism for altering the genetic makeup of wild populations, offering significant implications for controlling disease vectors and aiding conservation efforts. However, the development and deployment of gene drives warrant careful consideration of ethical and ecological factors, necessitating rigorous assessment of their environmental impact [4].
The application of CRISPR-Cas in cancer therapy is rapidly advancing, with strategies focusing on engineering immune cells for enhanced anti-tumor activity (e.g., CAR-T therapy), directly targeting oncogenic mutations within tumor cells, and developing CRISPR-based diagnostics for early cancer detection [5].
Delivery of CRISPR-Cas components to target cells in vivo remains a critical challenge for the widespread clinical application of genome editing. Research is actively optimizing viral vectors, such as adeno-associated viruses (AAV), and non-viral methods, including lipid nanoparticles, to enhance efficiency, specificity, and reduce immunogenicity, thereby facilitating clinical translation [6].
CRISPR-based diagnostic tools are emerging as highly effective platforms for the rapid and sensitive detection of pathogens and genetic markers. These systems leverage the specificity of guide RNAs to recognize target nucleic acids, enabling the development of accurate point-of-care diagnostic tests [7].
CRISPR-based epigenome editing enables targeted manipulation of epigenetic marks, such as DNA methylation and histone modifications, without altering the underlying DNA sequence. This opens new avenues for investigating gene regulation and developing therapeutic interventions for diseases associated with epigenetic dysregulation [8].
The application of CRISPR in agriculture is transforming crop improvement by enabling precise gene editing for enhanced yield, nutritional value, disease resistance, and herbicide tolerance. These advancements contribute to sustainable food production and help address global food security challenges [9].
Understanding and mitigating off-target effects remains a crucial area of research for CRISPR-Cas applications. Strategies for enhancing specificity include the development of engineered Cas variants, optimization of guide RNA design, and the use of advanced bioinformatics tools for predicting and verifying off-target events, ensuring greater precision and safety [10].
CRISPR-Cas systems, particularly Cas9, have revolutionized genome editing, enabling precise gene modifications beyond simple knockouts to insertions, corrections, and epigenetic alterations. Innovations like base editing and prime editing offer enhanced accuracy and safety by minimizing double-strand breaks and facilitating specific nucleotide changes. These technologies have broad applications in research, medicine, agriculture, and diagnostics. CRISPR-based gene drives present potential for disease control and conservation, though ethical considerations are paramount. Advances in delivery methods are crucial for in vivo applications, while ongoing research focuses on improving specificity and mitigating off-target effects. CRISPR-based diagnostics offer rapid and sensitive detection, and epigenome editing provides new avenues for understanding gene regulation and treating diseases. Agricultural applications are transforming crop improvement for enhanced yield and resilience, contributing to global food security.
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Journal of Genetics and DNA Research received 3 citations as per Google Scholar report
