Cas9 tagged posts

Proofreading the book of life: Gene Editing made Safer

The graphic illustrates the technique described in the new study. A version of the Cas9 protein used in CRISPR gene editing has been mutated. While this protein, seen in blue, retains its proper functioning, it remains “immunosilent”–hidden from predation as a foreign entity by the immune system’s T cells (seen in brown).
Credit: Graphic by Jason Drees

Scientists describe a method of rendering the gene editing tool CRISPR-Cas9 ‘immunosilent,’ potentially allowing the editing and repair of genes to be accomplished reliably and stealthily...

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How to make the Gene-Editing tool CRISPR Work even Better

An illustration of how CAS-12A works with DNA. Illustration by Jenna Luecke, University of Texas at Austin

An illustration of how CAS-12A works with DNA. Illustration by Jenna Luecke, University of Texas at Austin

Scientists have found conclusive evidence that Cas9, the most popular enzyme currently used in CRISPR gene editing, is less effective and precise than one of the lesser-used CRISPR proteins, Cas12a. Because Cas9 is more likely to edit the wrong part of a plant’s or animal’s genome, disrupting healthy functions, the scientists make the case that switching to Cas12a would lead to safer and more effective gene editing.

“The overall goal is to find the best enzyme that nature gave us and then make it better still, rather than taking the first one that was discovered through historical accident,” said Ilya Finkelstein, an assistant professor of molecular biosciences and a co-author of the ...

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