CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing scissors are less accurate than we thought, but there are fixes

[AussieNeil]

"CRISPR gene editing technology is revolutionising medicine and biology. This technique allows scientists to edit DNA with more precision and greater ease than previous gene editing technology.

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Some 17 clinical trials in human patients are registered testing gene editing on leukaemias, brain cancers and sickle cell anaemia (where red blood cells are misshaped, causing them to die). Before implementing CRISPR technology in clinics to treat cancer or congenital disorders, we must address whether the technique is safe and accurate."

This article explains new findings of how the Cas9 scissors work (including a great animation illustration), how they can cause unintended damage and some possible fixes: theconversation.com/crispr-... by Gaetan Burgio, Geneticist and Group Leader, The John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University.

Cas12a may be the tool of choice over Cas9 for some gene targets: newatlas.com/crispr-gene-ed...

Neil

Photo: Protea, a South African flower that grows well in Australia