CRISPR technology

Why in news?

• In the 10 years since the CRISPR technology has been developed, it has begun to deliver on its unlimited potential which will help in improving the quality of human life.

About CRISPR technology:

• CRISPR is short for Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats.
• It is a ??powerful gene editing technology which replicates natural defense mechanisms in bacteria to fight virus attacks using a special protein called Cas9.

Working:

• CRISPR-Cas9 technology behaves like a cut-and-paste mechanism on DNA strands that contain genetic information.
• The specific location of the genetic codes that need to be changed, or edited, is identified on the DNA strand, and then, using the Cas9 protein, which acts like a pair of scissors, that location is cut off from the strand.
• A DNA strand, when broken, has a natural tendency to repair itself. Scientists intervene during this auto-repair process, supplying the desired sequence of genetic codes that binds itself with the broken DNA strand.

Applications:

• It has many potential applications, including correcting genetic defects, treating and preventing the spread of diseases, and improving the growth and resilience of crops.

PRACTICE QUESTION:

The term "CRISPR-CAS 9" has been in news recently. What is it?

(a) A gene editing technique

(b) A new asteroid in solar system

(c) A space craft sent to Pluto

(d) A new method of treating E-waste

Answer