CRISPR-Cas9 Gene Editing

Genetics & Genomics 2012 Featured

Discoverers: Jennifer Doudna, Emmanuelle Charpentier

Overview

Development of CRISPR-Cas9 as a programmable genome-editing tool, allowing precise cutting and modification of DNA in living organisms.

Significance

Democratised gene editing by making it faster, cheaper, and more accurate than any previous technology, with applications from agriculture to medicine.

Methodology

Adaptation of a bacterial immune defence mechanism; guide RNA directs Cas9 nuclease to a specific DNA sequence for targeted double-strand breaks.

Impact