CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) is defined as the family or group of DNA sequences that are found in the genomes of prokaryotic organisms which are further divided into bacteria and archaea. These sequences play a vital role in detecting and destroying DNA from phages during consecutive infections. CRISPR are found in 50% of sequenced bacterial genomes and about 90% of sequenced archaea approximately. The associated Cas9 enzymes who recognizes specific strands of DNA by using CRISPR sequences form together the basis of a technology called as CRISPR-Cas9. The formation is used for the editing process of genes in the organisms which has a huge variety of applications including treatment of diseases, biological research and development of biotechnology products.
The sequences of CRISPR associated systems has been evolving since 1987, various researchers have brought their scientific literature into the frame and are still searching for additional function repeats which has become quite obscure. In 2001, Mojica and Ruud Jansen proposed the acronym CRISPR to describe the sequence in spite of the confusion. Initially, four cas genes were recognized by the major understanding of Jansen’s observation for the prokaryote repeat cluster was followed by group of homologous genes that formed CRISPR systems or Cas genes. In 2007, CRISPR was an adaptive immune system had published. The further analysis of CRISPR sequence revealed coevolution of host and viral genomes.
CRISPR technology is a unique tool that enables to allow the editing of genomes in a simple yet powerful way. This tool was adapted from natural defense mechanism of archaea and bacteria. The technology allows researchers in the modification of genes and easily transform the DNA sequences. The prokaryotic organisms such as bacteria and archaea uses CRISPR-derived RNA and various Cas proteins which includes Cas9 to guard attacks by viruses and other foreign invader.
CRISPR is already used for various scientific researches globally and some researchers says that by disabling genes, they would probably lower down the cholesterol levels as well. ‘The revolutionizing biology has even become more powerful in the current scenario of CRISPR editing technology, though it’s still in experimental phase,’ says geneticist Helen O’Neill from London University.
Many of the plants and animals in the farms may be altered by CRISPR in the near future. The research report by Value Market Research identifies that the market has potential for treatment of human diseases by transforming medicines as well. In addition to this, it is quite usable and cost effective tool for the researchers and biologists which has driven the market growth and the expansion for the same.
Naira Shekhawat has been into Content Writing just after completing her Graduation in English Literature. Her love for words has won her many accolades in her respective jobs ever since. Naira covers business sections for VMR News. She is a traveller by heart and loves writing on food blogs as a freelancer.