CRISPR-Cas9: Genome Editing Basics

CRISPR-Cas9 is a technology adapted from a bacterial immune system for editing DNA.

• Components: Guide RNA (gRNA) targets a DNA sequence; Cas9 is a nuclease that cuts DNA.
• Mechanism: Cas9 induces a double-strand break near a PAM site; cells repair via NHEJ or HDR.
• Applications: Research, model organisms, diagnostics; clinical applications are under active study.
• Milestones: First demonstrations in eukaryotic cells published in 2013.

Note: This entry is part of a seeded demo to exercise version history.