CRISPR: Our Latest Discovery
- Sisters of STEM
- Aug 21, 2021
- 2 min read
What is CRISPR?
The first phrase that comes to mind is “Gene Editing”. As in, changing our genetic code -- changing the instructions that our body uses to build proteins that inevitably allow us to breathe, move, and talk. CRISPR is entirely revolutionary and can transform the medical and biological industries forever.
According to “History of CRISPR-Cas from Encounter with a Mysterious Repeated Sequence to Genome Editing Technology,” CRISPR, which stands for “clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats” is the most accurate tool for genetic editing and engineering. Since being discovered in 1987, research in this field has led scientists and researchers the ability to identify, snip, and replace certain nucleotides of DNA. The image below depicts a simplified diagram and explanation of CRISPR and Cas9, a protein that carries a guide RNA and snips the DNA at a specific point.
CRISPR’s potential
Diseases like Hemophilia, Cystic Fibrosis, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, and some cancers are all genetic disorders, which leave patients nearly incurable. With extensive research into CRISPR, there is a promise for a cure to these diseases and others like them, which will revolutionize healthcare.
Curing diseases is not the only use for the CRISPR-Cas9 system. In fact, several other scientists and biochemists set to work pushing the boundaries and limits of this tool. Some labs are growing pigs with human organs for organ transplants, while private companies are manufacturing proteins and RNA molecules for labs to use at a reasonable price, according to a Netflix documentary, Human Nature.
Looking forward...
As a young woman interested in biochemistry and biomedical engineering, this technology will never cease to amaze me, and I am excited to see what the future holds and how progress will continue with this biological revolution.
Sources:
Comments