Unlocking the Future: How Genome Editing is Changing Medicine
CRISPR – a gene editing wizard
Genome editing technology in single-celled bacteria and archaea is used in CRISPR systems to fend off bacteriophages, the viruses that make their microscopic lives miserable. It’s like a microscopic war out there, and CISPR is the unsung hero.
Unveiling the CRISPR Gala
Hold on to your pipettes, scientists! There’s a new algorithm in town, FLSHclust. It sounds like a rejected rap name, but this bad boy can analyze genetic sequences like nobody’s business. The researchers threw it into the genetic databases’ , and it came out with a treasure map, leading them to around 130,000 CRISPR-associated genes.
Genome editing technology: CRISPR’s Got Talent
Genome editing technology is the magician here, 188 genes took the stage for the first time ever. Talk about CRISPR making a grand entrance!
They experimented in the lab to figure out what these newcomers were up to, and surprise, surprise – they found CRISPR systems doing DNA acrobatics, cutting and pasting like genetic surgeons.
CRISPR, the Trendsetter
Apart from Type II CRISPR–Cas9; there is a new kid in town – Type VII. It’s like the iPhone 13 of the CRISPR world. But, hold your applause, it’s so rare that finding it was like hunting for a needle in a haystack.
Biochemists’ Bonanza
Let’s take a moment to appreciate FLSHclust – the algorithmic rockstar that made this all possible. According to Chris Brown, a biochemist from New Zealand, it’s not just a game-changer; it’s a treasure trove for biochemists worldwide.
Genome editing technology: The Future
So, are these newfound CRISPR systems the superheroes we need for genetic engineering, or are they just good at chopping up DNA randomly like a toddler with scissors?
Only time will tell. But hey, they’ve got some cool properties that might just make them the rockstars of the biological engineering world.
In the meantime, keep calm and CRISPR on, my fellow genetic explorers!
Reference: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-03697-biotechw
