Abstract: The research applications associated with technological advances in genome editing based on clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) - associated proteins (Cas 9) system have revolutionized a variety of biological fields. Since it could target any genomic locus of interest by the ease principle of designing guide RNA with high specificity, versatility, and efficiency to introduce DNA double-stranded breaks as molecular scissors in genome have led to exciting applications in biological investigations. Studies on genetic disorders have recently used CRISPR/Cas9 to identify, modulate and correct, or delete the disease-causing alleles in vivo in animal models, or in vitro in somatic cells or in induced pluripotent stem cells, and provided potential therapeutic strategies using CRISPR/Cas9-based system in many different fields in biology, biotechnology and medicine. In this review, we will summarize the molecular basis of genome editing technology, and discuss the applications of CRISPR/Cas9 system in areas ranging from the Cas9-based treatment for genetic disorders, promoting resistance to infectious disease, combating cancer through research and treatment, optimizing the food production by creating infection-resistant crops in agriculture, enhancing biofuel resources, developing stem cell therapy for donor-specific tissues for transplantation, and bioengineering of new generation of drug development processes and medical therapeutics. Moreover, we have presented an account on the recent ethical concerns raised with application of this technology in human germline editing and the future perspectives associated with the wise usage of this remarkable genome editing technology.
Keywords: CRISPR/ Cas9; Genome editing; Guide RNA; Cas endonucleases; DNA; biotechnology; Genetic engineering; Human diseases.
Title: CRISPR/Cas9: Genome Editing Applications, Ethical Concerns and Future Prospects
Author: Hu Yingcai, Swapna Boddu
International Journal of Life Sciences Research
ISSN 2348-313X (Print), ISSN 2348-3148 (online)
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