CRISPR-Cas guides the future of genetic engineering

Gavin J Knott; Jennifer A Doudna

doi:10.1126/science.aat5011

CRISPR-Cas guides the future of genetic engineering

Science. 2018 Aug 31;361(6405):866-869. doi: 10.1126/science.aat5011.

Authors

Gavin J Knott¹, Jennifer A Doudna^{2

3

4

5

6}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.
² Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA. doudna@berkeley.edu.
³ Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.
⁴ Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.
⁵ Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.
⁶ Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA.

Abstract

The diversity, modularity, and efficacy of CRISPR-Cas systems are driving a biotechnological revolution. RNA-guided Cas enzymes have been adopted as tools to manipulate the genomes of cultured cells, animals, and plants, accelerating the pace of fundamental research and enabling clinical and agricultural breakthroughs. We describe the basic mechanisms that set the CRISPR-Cas toolkit apart from other programmable gene-editing technologies, highlighting the diverse and naturally evolved systems now functionalized as biotechnologies. We discuss the rapidly evolving landscape of CRISPR-Cas applications, from gene editing to transcriptional regulation, imaging, and diagnostics. Continuing functional dissection and an expanding landscape of applications position CRISPR-Cas tools at the cutting edge of nucleic acid manipulation that is rewriting biology.

Publication types

Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Bacterial Proteins / genetics
Bacterial Proteins / metabolism
CRISPR-Associated Protein 9
CRISPR-Cas Systems*
DNA / analysis
DNA / chemistry
DNA / genetics
Endonucleases / genetics
Endonucleases / metabolism
Gene Editing / methods*
Genetic Engineering / methods*
Genetic Engineering / trends*
Humans
Molecular Imaging
Plants / genetics
RNA / analysis
RNA / chemistry
RNA, Guide, CRISPR-Cas Systems / genetics
Transcription, Genetic

Substances

Bacterial Proteins
RNA, Guide, CRISPR-Cas Systems
RNA
DNA
CRISPR-Associated Protein 9
Cas9 endonuclease Streptococcus pyogenes
Endonucleases

Grants and funding

HHMI_/Howard Hughes Medical Institute/United States