CRISPR moves beyond gene-editing: 5 things to know

Researchers are looking for alternate possibilities for CRISPR, a technology that can edit a living organism's DNA, according to Gizmodo.

CRISPR, which stands for Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats, allows scientists to add, remove and replace segments of genetic material within a living organism's genome. Cutting and pasting bits of an organism's genome is much more successful than correcting a disease-causing genetic mutation.

Three recent studies shed light on new research and development to expand the use of CRISPR. Here are five things to know.

1. In one of the recent studies, led by UC Berkeley researcher Jennifer Doudna, PhD, a team of researchers used CRISPR to identify part of an organism's DNA that could hint at viral infections, cancer or defective genes. CRISPR was able to identify specific genetic codes and attack them. In the study, the technology was leveraged on cancer-causing HPV, which it first detected in a patient's DNA and if found, it sent out a glowing signal.

2. In another study, led by researchers from MIT and Harvard's Broad Institute, CRISPR showed it could locate tumor DNA in blood samples collected from lung cancer patients.

3. In the third study, conducted at the Broad Institute, scientists used CRISPR to create a "black box" for cellular data, Gizmodo reports. It would record events inside both human and bacterial cells and program CRISPR to edit whenever significant cellular changes occur.

4. These CRISPR advancements were simple changes to the CRISPR system, including using  different enzymes to do the molecular cutting or giving it upgrades.

5. The new uses of CRISPR demonstrate its potential to be a multifunctional tool that can work as a biosensor, medical detective or tool for basic research.

More articles on data analytics & precision medicine:
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