CRISPR: A Game-Changing Engineering Technique in Genetic Editing Field

A recent revolution has grabbed the attention of several scientific communities. Within a year of this revolution, research labs around the globe have started adopting the technology that helps in specific changes in human, plant, and animal deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). The approach of bringing changes in the DNA is easier and faster. This technology is known as Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat (CRISPR). It is one of the advance techniques related to genome editing.

Working of genome editing:

Genome editing is a method to change an organism’s genetic code. Scientists use enzymes to cut DNA and make a double-strand break (DSB). DSB repairs are done by homology-directed repair (HDR) or non-homologous end joining (NHEJ). NHEJ is responsible for producing random mutations known as gene knockout, and HDR uses additional DNA for making the preferred sequence in the genome.

Let’s learn briefly about the CRISPR technique of genome editing.

What does CRISPR mean?

CRISPR, which stands for Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat, is known to be a powerful tool capable of editing genomes. It helps researchers modify the function of the genes and alter the sequence of the DNA.

This technology has many possible applications like correcting defects in genetics, preventing and treating the disease from spreading, and enhancing the growth of crops.

Before discovering CRISPR technology in 2012, different ways were used to edit the genomes of plants and animals, but it was an expensive and time-consuming process. However, now CRISPR technology has made the same process of editing much more affordable and easier.

Today, CRISPR technology is widely used around the globe. It has created a lot of hype in the industry of genome engineering. Many animals and plants in our homes or gardens are altered using CRISPR technology. Many food items available in the market are already CRISPER food.

CRISPR technology can change medicine and enable researchers and doctors to not only do the treatments of the diseases but also control them from spreading.

Limitations of CRISPR:

CRISPR is a powerful tool for editing genes, but it has some limitations. The limitations are as follow:

• It is difficult to deliver the CRISPR materials in a huge number of mature cells, which creates a problem in clinical applications.
• It is not completely efficient, so even the cells in CRISPR may be unable to perform genome editing completely.
• The accuracy level of CRISPR editing is not 100% correct. There can be different consequences, especially in clinical applications.

How does CRISPR protect the bacteria from viral attacks?

The immune system of CRISPR works to provide protections for the bacteria from the replicated viral attacks in three steps:

• Adaption: DNA from the viruses is processed in small segments for inserting into a sequence of the CRISPR as new spacers.
• CRISPR ribonucleic acid (RNA) production: The repetition of CRISPR and bacterial DNA experience transcription, copying the DNA into RNA. The process results in the RNA of a single chain instead of a double chain structure like DNA. The chain of RNA is further cut into small pieces called CRISPR RNAs.
• Targeting: Bacterial molecules are guided by the CRISPR RNAs to kill the viral materials. Since the CRISPR RNAs are replicated from the sequence of the viral DNA during the process of adoption, they act as an excellent guide.

Market overview of CRISPR gene editing:

The value of the CRISPR editing market was at $1,088.6 million in 2020, but now it is growing at a high pace. As per the recent report of BIS Research, the CRISPR gene editing market is expected to touch $18,856.6 million by 2031. The market will grow at a CAGR of 29.60% during the forecast period 2021–2031.

The increasing growth is due to the rising demands for better products in food industries and enhancing the pharmaceutical industry for better treatments of diseases.

The development of genome editing has helped explore various applications in different fields such as biotechnology, agricultural research, and industrial. These methods are super-efficient, simple, and cost-effective for providing multiplexing.

Growth of CRISPR gene editing as per region:

North America has the highest CRISPR gene editing share due to high investments by pharmaceutical companies, enhanced healthcare infrastructures, and the availability of research laboratories. Apart from North America, the Asia-Pacific region is expected to develop at the quickest CAGR during the forecast period 2021–2031.

Conclusion:

CRISPR is currently a new technology, and it will take time to understand it better. There is no doubt that it is among one of the powerful tools for editing genomes. It is changing the way of conducting research and the method of treating disease. However, there are still many aspects left that need to be discovered in CRISPR.