CRISPR: How Gene Editing Is Changing Science

Imagine being able to edit DNA like a text document — fixing a “spelling mistake” in the genetic code. That is exactly what CRISPR technology allows scientists to do. It’s one of the most revolutionary discoveries in modern biology.

🔬 What is CRISPR?

CRISPR stands for Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats. It was originally discovered in bacteria, where it acts like a defense system against viruses. Scientists later realised that this system could be adapted as a powerful tool for gene editing.

⚙️ How Does CRISPR Work?

• A special protein called Cas9 acts like molecular scissors.
• A guide RNA directs Cas9 to a specific part of the DNA sequence.
• Cas9 cuts the DNA at that spot, and scientists can then delete, fix, or insert new DNA.

🌍 Why CRISPR Matters

CRISPR has opened new doors in science and medicine:

• 👩‍⚕️ Treating genetic diseases like sickle cell anemia and muscular dystrophy.
• 🌱 Improving crops by making them more resistant to disease and climate change.
• 🧪 Biomedical research — helping scientists study genes faster and more accurately.

How CRISPR Works — Step by Step

Step 1 — Target DNA: Identify the exact DNA sequence to edit (highlighted in red).

Step 2 — Guide RNA (gRNA): The guide RNA pairs with the matching target sequence.

Step 3 — Cas9 Protein: Cas9 (the molecular scissors) positions at the target site.

Step 4 — DNA Cut: Cas9 makes a precise cut in the DNA at the target sequence.

Step 5 — DNA Edit: A corrected or new DNA segment (green) is inserted and repaired.

⚖️ Ethical Questions

CRISPR is powerful, but it also raises big questions. Should we use it to edit human embryos? Could it create inequalities in healthcare? The debate continues among scientists, ethicists, and governments.

✨ Fun Fact

The discovery of CRISPR earned Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2020.

Related reading: Who are the Scientists Behind CRISPR?