The future of DNA editing is here. CRISPR, the technique that allows precise changes to be made to any DNA, whether bacterial or human, was discovered when studying a bacteria’s immune system. Although scientists and labs all over the world have been adopting various technologies for the purpose, this new approach is much faster and easier. It has changed the way in which the world can comprehend treating serious diseases.
CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) refers to the unique organization of short, partially palindromic repeated DNA sequences found in the genomes of bacteria and other microorganisms. For bacterial cells, viral attacks are very common, much like in humans. When a virus attacks one of these bacteria, the CRISPR system captures a piece of the virus’s DNA and destroys the genome of the invading virus. The genome is the part of the virus that holds the material needed for replication. Hence by destroying the genome, it destroys the infection and protects the bacteria from further attacks as well.
CRISPR has already found its application in various fields such as researches, industries, labs and medicine. This technology gives a provision to replace faulty genes, which is a huge scientific breakthrough as it makes it possible to cure some common diseases and genetic disorders.
Emergence of this new technology with such a wide range of applications and efficiency is truly a ray of hope for people suffering from some major diseases. However, somethings still need to be investigated to get the technique completely up and running. Things like targeting specific genes while avoiding others and ways to deliver CRISPR therapies into the body still need to be worked upon. Even so, this technology is one that will last for long and will be groundbreaking in the future of health sciences.