Revolutionizing technology is paving the way to a whole new world of opportunities in many fields of study and research, and has particularly made an impact in the modernizing medicinal industry. From artificial organs to precision medicine, the development of biotechnology and bio-engineering have allowed for the expansion and further development into life-saving technologies, medically assisting robots and devices, in addition to remodeling treatment and patient care as a whole.
Arguably one of the most well-known forms of biotechnology, a valuable and important invention, introduced to the world initially in 1987, has the potential to change millions of patient lives by correcting genetic defects and transforming medicine to treat diseases.
So…what exactly is this technology, and what does it do?
CRISPR is a gene-altering technology that allows for humans to modify or alter a cell’s DNA/genetic sequences.
Before we go into detail, let’s first take a look at the background of CRISPR and how it was discovered. CRISPR, short for Clustered Regularly Interspaced Palindromic Repeat, is actually a natural process that functions as an immune system used to fight off viruses. Inside of a bacterial genome, there is a collection of CRISPRs, which have spacer DNA in between each cluster, and they are essentially DNA of viruses that have previously infected the bacteria; they serve as “genetic memory.” The bacteria utilize them to be able to identify harmful viruses that had entered the cell previously. When a virus with a match in the CRISPR collection enters the bacteria, CRISPR-associated proteins, or Cas proteins (sometimes referred to as “DNA scissors”), are able to bind to the viral sequences and destroy them.
How have we been able to utilize CRISPR?
Scientists have been able to utilize CRISPR’s genetic memory to remember certain sequences, and have recently engineered an enzyme, Cas9, as a means of “cutting and pasting” DNA in human cells. Using Cas9, researchers are able to modify/make changes to sequences of DNA that Cas9 has cut out, which in turn can make changes to organisms as a whole.
Using CRISPR as a means of fighting off viruses, many organisms are now more resistant to viral attacks, one example is improving the sustainability of products in the food industry. In fact, CRISPR immunity was initially discovered by Danisco researchers, a food production industry, where they were studying Streptococcus thermophilus, a bacteria used to make products like yogurt and cheese. They discovered that by equipping these bacteria with CRISPRs, the lifespan of these food products was extended, in turn becoming more sustainable.
Additionally, an application of CRISPR is fighting off diseases, one example being genetic diseases, which are typically caused by mutations, or permanent alterations in genes. As stated, researchers have discovered CRISPR as a way of modifying genes, and this can be extended to correcting these mutations in organisms, even animals and humans. Other potential applicants of CRISPR include treating cancer, enhancing antibiotics, blood disorders, blindness, and cystic fibrosis.
Of course, CRISPR technology is not limited to treating only the issues above. As we explore deeper and deeper into CRISPR and how we can use it, the possibilities become endless, allowing CRISPR to potentially change medicine and treatment as we know it.
