Genome engineering with zinc-finger nucleases

Genome editing in maize and sorghum: A comprehensive review of CRISPR/Cas9 and emerging technologies

The increasing changes in the climate patterns across the globe have deeply affected food systems where unparalleled and unmatched challenges are created. This jeopardizes food security due to an ever-increasing population. The extreme efficiency of C4 crops as compared to C3 crops makes them incredibly significant in securing food safety. C4 crops, maize (Zea mays L.) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) in particular, have the ability to withstand osmotic stress induced by oxidative stress. Osmotic stress causes a series of physical changes in a plant thus facilitating reduced water uptake and photosynthesis inhibition, such as membrane tension, cell wall stiffness, and turgor changes. There has been a great advancement in plant breeding brought by introduction of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) gene editing technology. This technology offers precise alterations to an organism's DNA through targeting specific genes for desired traits in a wide number of crop species. Despite its immense opportunities in plant breeding, it faces limitations such as effective delivery systems, editing efficiency, regulatory concerns, and off-target effects. Future prospects lie in optimizing next-generation techniques, such as prime editing, and developing novel genotype-independent delivery methods. Overall, the transformative role of CRISPR/Cas9 in sorghum and maize breeding underscores the need for responsible and sustainable utilization to address global food security challenges.

Unravelling fungal pathogenesis: Advances in CRISPR-Cas9 for understanding virulence and adaptation

Fungi, with their billion-year evolutionary history, have adapted to diverse ecological niches, including pathogenic roles that threaten global health, agriculture, and ecosystems. Fungal pathogenicity is shaped by the dynamic evolution of genetic traits that enable fungi to infect hosts, evade immune defenses, and develop resistance to antifungal treatments. Despite their significant clinical and ecological impact, the evolutionary processes underlying fungal virulence and adaptation remain incompletely understood. This review emphasizes the transformative role of CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing in revealing these mechanisms. By allowing precise manipulation of fungal genomes, CRISPR technologies have provided key insights into virulence factors, stress response mechanisms, immune evasion, and antifungal resistance pathways. These advances demonstrate how fungi adapt to selective pressures, repurpose conserved genetic pathways, and exploit genomic plasticity to thrive in host environments. This review explores the intersection of CRISPR technology and fungal biology, shedding light on its implications for understanding fungal pathogenesis and the potential to develop innovative therapeutic strategies against fungal infections. The integration of CRISPR applications into mycology holds promise for furthering our understanding of fungal evolutionary trajectories and enhancing the development of novel therapeutic approaches.

Direct preparation of Cas9 ribonucleoproteins with an extended 'gRNA-shRNA' construct in Escherichia coli for precise genome manipulation

Gene perturbation approaches have emerged as powerful tools for elucidating gene function and treating hereditary disorders. Previously, we developed a method for streamlined production of ready-to-use Cas9 ribonucleoproteins (RNPs) in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3). In this study, we present an improved approach by assembling Cas9 RNPs with an extended 'gRNA-shRNA' construct in the RNase III deficient strain HT115(DE3). Transfection of these engineered Cas9 RNPs into mammalian cells enables multidimensional genome manipulation, including simultaneous knockdown and knockout of target genes. Furthermore, the design of shRNA specifically targeting human DNA ligase IV (LIG4) significantly enhances efficiency in homology-directed repair genome editing. Collectively, our findings establish a user-friendly CRISPR/Cas9 RNP tool with immense potential for precise genome editing, gene function analysis, and gene therapy.

The Strategy and Application of Gene Attenuation in Metabolic Engineering

Metabolic engineering has a wide range of applications, spanning key sectors such as energy, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, chemicals, and environmental sustainability. Its core focus is on precisely modulating metabolic pathways to achieve efficient, sustainable, and environmentally friendly biomanufacturing processes, offering new possibilities for societal sustainable development. Gene attenuation is a critical technique within metabolic engineering, pivotal in optimizing metabolic fluxes and improving target metabolite yields. This review article discusses gene attenuation mechanisms, the applications across various biological systems, and implementation strategies. Additionally, we address potential future challenges and explore its potential to drive further advancements in the field.

Cotton under heat stress: a comprehensive review of molecular breeding, genomics, and multi-omics strategies

Cotton is a vital fiber crop for the global textile industry, but rising temperatures due to climate change threaten its growth, fiber quality and yields. Heat stress disrupts key physiological and biochemical processes, affecting carbohydrate metabolism, hormone signaling, calcium and gene regulation and expression. This review article explores cotton's defense mechanism against heat stress, including epigenetic regulations and transgenic approaches, with a focus on genome editing tools. Given the limitations of traditional breeding, advanced omics technologies such as GWAS, transcriptomics, proteomics, ionomics, metabolomics, phenomics and CRISPR-Cas9 offer promising solutions for developing heat-resistant cotton varieties. This review highlights the need for innovative strategies to ensure sustainable cotton production under climate change.

Engineering Useful Microbial Species for Pharmaceutical Applications

Microbial engineering has made a significant breakthrough in pharmaceutical biotechnology, greatly expanding the production of biologically active compounds, therapeutic proteins, and novel drug candidates. Recent advancements in genetic engineering, synthetic biology, and adaptive evolution have contributed to the optimization of microbial strains for pharmaceutical applications, playing a crucial role in enhancing their productivity and stability. The CRISPR-Cas system is widely utilized as a precise genome modification tool, enabling the enhancement of metabolite biosynthesis and the activation of synthetic biological pathways. Additionally, synthetic biology approaches allow for the targeted design of microorganisms with improved metabolic efficiency and therapeutic potential, thereby accelerating the development of new pharmaceutical products. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) plays a vital role in further advancing microbial engineering by predicting metabolic network interactions, optimizing bioprocesses, and accelerating the drug discovery process. However, challenges such as the efficient optimization of metabolic pathways, ensuring sustainable industrial-scale production, and meeting international regulatory requirements remain critical barriers in the field. Furthermore, to mitigate potential risks, it is essential to develop stringent biocontainment strategies and implement appropriate regulatory oversight. This review comprehensively examines recent innovations in microbial engineering, analyzing key technological advancements, regulatory challenges, and future development perspectives.

Protein and DNA Conformational Changes Contribute to Specificity of Cre Recombinase

Cre, a conservative site-specific tyrosine recombinase, is a powerful gene editing tool in the laboratory. Expanded applications in human health are hindered by a lack of understanding of the mechanism by which Cre selectively binds and recombines its cognate loxP sequences. This knowledge is essential for retargeting the enzyme to new sites and for mitigating the effects of off-target recombination. Prior studies have suggested that in addition to a few base-specific contacts to cognate loxP DNA, the enzyme's specificity is enhanced by (1) autoinhibition involving a conformational change in the protein's C-terminal helix and (2) indirect readout via binding-coupled conformational changes in the target DNA. We used isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), circular dichroism (CD), and heteronuclear NMR spectroscopy to investigate DNA site recognition by wild-type Cre and a deletion mutant lacking the C-terminal helix. ITC of Cre and a C-terminal deletion variant against cognate and noncognate DNA recombinase binding elements (RBEs) reveal that the C-terminus reduces DNA binding affinity by 6-fold toward cognate DNA. Additionally, ITC revealed highly unfavorable binding enthalpy, which, when combined with evidence from CD and NMR of structural differences between cognate and noncognate complexes, supports a model in which binding-coupled DNA bending provides a unique structure-thermodynamic signature of cognate complexes. Together, these findings advance our understanding of site recognition by Cre recombinase.

Non-Invasive Delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 Ribonucleoproteins (Cas9 RNPs) into Cells via Nanoparticles for Membrane Transport

The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (CRISPR/Cas9) system is a promising biotechnology tool for genome editing. However, in living organisms, several pharmacokinetic challenges arise, including off-target side effects due to incorrect distribution, low bioavailability caused by membrane impermeability, and instability resulting from enzymatic degradation. Therefore, innovative delivery strategies must be developed to address these issues. Modified nanoparticles offer a potential solution for the non-invasive delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 ribonucleoproteins (Cas9 RNPs). Cas9 RNPs encapsulated in nanoparticles are protected from enzymatic degradation, similar to how microRNAs are shielded within exosomes. It is well-established that certain materials, including proteins, are expressed selectively in specific cell types. For example, the α-7 nicotinic receptor is expressed in endothelial and neuronal cells, while the αvβ3 integrin is expressed in cancer cells. These endogenous materials can facilitate receptor-mediated endocytosis or transcytosis. Nanoparticles encapsulating Cas9 RNPs and coated with ligands targeting such receptors may be internalized through receptor-mediated mechanisms. Once internalized, Cas9 RNPs could perform the desired gene editing in the nucleus after escaping the endosome through mechanisms such as the proton sponge effect or membrane fusion. In this review, I discuss the potential and advantages of delivering Cas9 RNP-encapsulated nanoparticles coated with ligands through receptor-mediated endocytosis or transcytosis.

Bidirectional Prime Editing: Combining Precision with Versatility for Genome Editing

Genome editing techniques have potential to revolutionize the field of life sciences. Several limitations associated with traditional gene editing techniques have been resolved with the development of prime editors that precisely edit the DNA without double-strand breaks (DSBs). To further improve the efficiency, several modified versions of prime editing (PE) system have been introduced. Bi-directional PE (Bi-PE), for example, uses two PE guide RNAs enabling broad and improved editing efficiency. It has the potential to alter, delete, integrate, and replace larger genome sequences and edit multiple bases at the same time. This review aims to discuss the typical gene editing methods that offer DSB-mediated repair mechanisms, followed by the latest advances in genome editing technologies with non-DSB-mediated repair. The review specifically focuses on Bi-PE being an efficient tool to edit the human genome. In addition, the review discusses the applications, limitations, and future perspectives of Bi-PE for gene editing.

Unveiling the potential of gene editing techniques in revolutionizing Cancer treatment: A comprehensive overview

Gene editing techniques have emerged as powerful tools in biomedical research, offering precise manipulation of genetic material with the potential to revolutionize cancer treatment strategies. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current landscape of gene editing technologies, including CRISPR-Cas systems, base editing, prime editing, and synthetic gene circuits, highlighting their applications and potential in cancer therapy. It discusses the mechanisms, advantages, and limitations of each gene editing approach, emphasizing their transformative impact on targeting oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, and drug resistance mechanisms in various cancer types. The review delves into population-level interventions and precision prevention strategies enabled by gene editing technologies, including gene drives, synthetic gene circuits, and precision prevention tools, for controlling cancer-causing genes, targeting pre-cancerous lesions, and implementing personalized preventive measures. Ethical considerations, regulatory challenges, and future directions in gene editing research for cancer treatment are also addressed. This review highlights how gene editing could revolutionize precision medicine by enhancing patient care and advancing cancer treatments with targeted, personalized methods. For these benefits to be fully realized, collaboration among researchers, doctors, regulators, and patient advocates is crucial in fighting cancer and meeting clinical needs.

Advances and applications of genome-edited animal models for severe combined immunodeficiency

Severe combined immunodeficiency disease (SCID), characterized by profound immune system dysfunction, can lead to life-threatening infections and death. Animal models play a pivotal role in elucidating biological processes and advancing therapeutic strategies. Recent advances in gene-editing technologies, including zinc-finger nucleases (ZFNs), transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs), CRISPR/Cas9, and base editing, have significantly enhanced the generation of SCID models. These models have not only deepened our understanding of disease pathophysiology but have also driven progress in cancer therapy, stem cell transplantation, organ transplantation, and infectious disease management. This review provides a comprehensive overview of current SCID models generated using novel gene-editing approaches, highlighting their potential applications in translational medicine and their role in advancing biomedical research.

Articular cartilage tissue engineering using genetically modified induced pluripotent stem cell lines

Mature hyaline cartilage has a low regenerative potential and its repair remains a complex clinical and research issue. Articular cartilage injuries often contribute to the development of osteoarthritis, resulting in loss of joint function and patient disability. Surgical techniques for repairing articular surfaces, such as mosaic chondroplasty and microfracture, which are designed for small defects, cannot be used for degenerative and dystrophic cartilage lesions. Cell therapy using chondrocytes differentiated from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) is a promising approach to reconstruct articular cartilage tissue. iPSCs have high proliferative activity, which allows the harvesting of autologous cells in quantities necessary to repair a joint defect. CRISPR-Cas genome editing technology, based on the bacterial adaptive immune system, enables the genetic modification of iPSCs to obtain progenitor cells with specific characteristics and properties. This review describes specific research papers on the combined use of iPSC and CRISPR-Cas technologies for the evaluation of cartilage regenerative medicine. Papers were evaluated for the last twelve years since CRISPR-Cas technology was introduced to the global community. CRISPR-Cas is currently being used to address therapeutic issues in articular cartilage regeneration by increasing the efficiency of chondrogenic differentiation of iPSC lines and harvesting a more homogeneous population of chondroprogenitor cells. Another approach is to remove the pro-inflammatory cytokine receptor sequence to produce inflammation-resistant cartilage. Finally, knocking out genes for components of the major histocompatibility complex allows harvesting chondrocytes that are invisible to the recipient's immune system. This kind of research contributes to personalized healthcare and can improve the quality of life of the world's population in the long term.

Preclinical Models for Functional Precision Lung Cancer Research

Patient-centered precision oncology strives to deliver individualized cancer care. In lung cancer, preclinical models and technological innovations have become critical in advancing this approach. Preclinical models enable deeper insights into tumor biology and enhance the selection of appropriate systemic therapies across chemotherapy, targeted therapies, immunotherapies, antibody-drug conjugates, and emerging investigational treatments. While traditional human lung cancer cell lines offer a basic framework for cancer research, they often lack the tumor heterogeneity and intricate tumor-stromal interactions necessary to accurately predict patient-specific clinical outcomes. Patient-derived xenografts (PDXs), however, retain the original tumor's histopathology and genetic features, providing a more reliable model for predicting responses to systemic therapeutics, especially molecularly targeted therapies. For studying immunotherapies and antibody-drug conjugates, humanized PDX mouse models, syngeneic mouse models, and genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs) are increasingly utilized. Despite their value, these in vivo models are costly, labor-intensive, and time-consuming. Recently, patient-derived lung cancer organoids (LCOs) have emerged as a promising in vitro tool for functional precision oncology studies. These LCOs demonstrate high success rates in growth and maintenance, accurately represent the histology and genomics of the original tumors and exhibit strong correlations with clinical treatment responses. Further supported by advancements in imaging, spatial and single-cell transcriptomics, proteomics, and artificial intelligence, these preclinical models are reshaping the landscape of drug development and functional precision lung cancer research. This integrated approach holds the potential to deliver increasingly accurate, personalized treatment strategies, ultimately enhancing patient outcomes in lung cancer.

Protein and DNA Conformational Changes Contribute to Specificity of Cre Recombinase

Cre, a conservative site-specific tyrosine recombinase, is a powerful gene editing tool in the laboratory. Expanded applications in human health are hindered by lack of understanding of the mechanism by which Cre selectively binds and recombines its cognate loxP sequences. This knowledge is essential for retargeting the enzyme to new sites and for mitigating effects of off-target recombination. Prior studies have suggested that in addition to a few base-specific contacts to cognate loxP DNA, the enzyme's specificity is enhanced by (1) autoinhibition involving a conformational change in the protein's C-terminal helix, and (2) indirect readout via binding-coupled conformational changes in the target DNA. We used isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), circular dichroism (CD) and heteronuclear NMR spectroscopy to investigate DNA site recognition by wild-type Cre and a deletion mutant lacking the C-terminal helix. ITC of Cre and a C-terminal deletion variant against cognate and non-cognate DNA recombinase binding elements (RBEs) reveal that the C-terminus reduces DNA binding affinity by six-fold towards cognate DNA. Additionally, ITC revealed highly unfavorable binding enthalpy, which when combined with evidence from CD and NMR of structural differences between cognate and non-cognate complexes support a model in which binding-coupled DNA bending provides a unique structure-thermodynamic signature of cognate complexes. Together, these findings advance our understanding of site-recognition by Cre recombinase.

Gene Therapy for Inherited Liver Disease: To Add or to Edit

Patients suffering from an inherited severe liver disorder require lifelong treatment to prevent premature death. Until recently, the only curative treatment option was liver transplantation, which requires lifelong immune suppression. Now, liver-directed gene therapy, which is a much less invasive procedure, has become a market-approved treatment for hemophilia A and B. This may pave the way for it to become the treatment of choice for many other recessive inherited liver disorders with loss-of-function mutations. Inherited liver disease with toxic-gain-of-function or intrinsic hepatocyte damage may require alternative applications, such as integrating vectors or genome editing technologies, that can provide permanent or specific modification of the genome. We present an overview of currently available gene therapy strategies, i.e., gene supplementation, gene editing, and gene repair investigated in preclinical and clinical studies to treat inherited severe liver disorders. The advantages and limitations of these gene therapy applications are discussed in relation to the underlying disease mechanism.

Emerging Gene-editing nano-therapeutics for Cancer

Remarkable progress has been made in the field of genome engineering after the discovery of CRISPR/Cas9 in 2012 by Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier. Compared to any other gene-editing tools, CRISPR/Cas9 attracted the attention of the scientific community because of its simplicity, specificity, and multiplex editing possibilities for which the inventors were awarded the Nobel prize for chemistry in 2020. CRISPR/Cas9 allows targeted alteration of the genomic sequence, gene regulation, and epigenetic modifications using an RNA-guided site-specific endonuclease. Though the impact of CRISPR/Cas9 was undisputed, some of its limitations led to key modifications including the use of miniature-Cas proteins, Cas9 Retron precise Parallel Editing via homologY (CRISPEY), Cas-Clover, or development of alternative methods including retron-recombineering, Obligate Mobile Element Guided Activity(OMEGA), Fanzor, and Argonaute proteins. As cancer is caused by genetic and epigenetic alterations, gene-editing was found to be highly useful for knocking out oncogenes, editing mutations to regain the normal functioning of tumor suppressor genes, knock-out immune checkpoint blockade in CAR-T cells, producing 'off-the-shelf' CAR-T cells, identify novel tumorigenic genes and functional analysis of multiple pathways in cancer, etc. Advancements in nanoparticle-based delivery of guide-RNA and Cas9 complex to the human body further enhanced the potential of CRISPR/Cas9 for clinical translation. Several studies are reported for developing novel delivery methods to enhance the tumor-specific application of CRISPR/Cas9 for anticancer therapy. In this review, we discuss new developments in novel gene editing techniques and recent progress in nanoparticle-based CRISPR/Cas9 delivery specific to cancer applications.

Whole genome sequencing of CRISPR/Cas9-engineered NF-κB reporter mice for validation and variant discovery

Targeted knockout, mutations, or knock-in of genomic DNA fragments in model organisms have been used widely for functional and cell-tracking studies. The desired genetic perturbation is often accomplished by recombination-based or CRISPR/Cas9-based genome engineering. For validating the intended genetic modification, a local region surrounding the targeted locus is typically examined based on enzymatic cleavage and consequent length patterns, e.g. in a Southern analysis. Despite its wide use, this approach is open to incomplete and ambiguous readouts. With decreasing costs of high-throughput sequencing, it is becoming feasible to consider a large-scale validation of a new strain after a targeted genetic perturbation. Here we describe a dataset of whole-genome sequences and the variant analysis results from four novel reporter mouse strains. This served to validate the strains and identified all the off-target effects on the genome, thereby increasing the genetic diversity of genomic sequences over those represented in the public databases for inbred mice.

Recent advances in environmental toxicology: Exploring gene editing, organ-on-a-chip, chimeric animals, and in silico models

In our daily life, we are exposed to various environmental pollutants in multiple ways. At present, we mainly rely on animal models and two-dimensional cell culture models to evaluate the toxicity of environmental pollutants. Nevertheless, results in animal models do not always apply to humans because of differences between species, while two-dimensional cell culture models cannot replicate the in vivo microenvironments, making it difficult to predict the true toxic response of environmental pollutants in humans. The development of various high-end technologies in recent years has provided new opportunities for environmental toxicology research. The application of these high-end technologies in environmental toxicology can complement the limitations of traditional environmental toxicology screening and more accurately predict the toxicity of environmental pollutants. In this review, we first introduce the advantages and disadvantages of traditional environmental toxicology methods, then review the principles and development of four high-end technologies, such as gene editing, organ-on-a-chip, chimeric animals, and in silico models, summarize their application in toxicity testing, and finally emphasize their importance/potential in environmental toxicology.

Gene therapy as an emerging treatment for Scn2a mutation-induced autism spectrum disorders

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurological and developmental disorder that affects how a person acts, communicates, learns, and interacts with others. It affects the structure and function of the brain and nervous system. How ASD is caused remains uncertain and there is no effective treatment for this disorder. Searching for new technologies for treatment of this disorder becomes a priority. Genetic alterations have been implicated in the generation of this disorder. One of the most promising genes for potential treatment of ASD is sodium voltage-gated channel alpha subunit 2 gene (SCN2A). SCN2A, encoding the neuronal voltage-gated Na+ channel NaV1.2, is one of the most commonly affected loci linked to ASD. Here, we discuss the implications of loss of function (LOF) mutations in SCN2A and the potential efficacy of gene therapy by highlighting the usage of CRISPR restoration of various Scn2a-insufficiencies. Various therapeutics exist that can be extrapolated to address the needs of Scn2a LOF induced ASD. The current treatment that exists for ASD can be seen as outdated in comparison to the advent of new technologies that build upon CRISPR. Due to complications in treatment of ASD, genetic therapies may induce alterations such as insertion-deletion mutations, which may lead to further complications along with a negative public outlook on CRISPR technologies. Gene therapy can be applied to ASD but much work is yet to be done in order to address both biochemical and ethical considerations.

The transformative potential of AI-driven CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing to enhance CAR T-cell therapy

This narrative review examines the promising potential of integrating artificial intelligence (AI) with CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing to advance CAR T-cell therapy. AI algorithms offer unparalleled precision in identifying genetic targets, essential for enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of CAR T-cell treatments. This precision is critical for eliminating negative regulatory elements that undermine therapy effectiveness. Additionally, AI streamlines the manufacturing process, significantly reducing costs and increasing accessibility, thereby encouraging further research and development investment. A key benefit of AI integration is improved safety; by predicting and minimizing off-target effects, AI enhances the specificity of CRISPR-Cas9 edits, contributing to safer CAR T-cell therapy. This advancement is crucial for patient safety and broader clinical adoption. The convergence of AI and CRISPR-Cas9 has transformative potential, poised to revolutionize personalized immunotherapy. These innovations could expand the application of CAR T-cell therapy beyond hematologic malignancies to various solid tumors and other non-hematologic conditions, heralding a new era in cancer treatment that substantially improves patient outcomes.

The ability of Arabidopsis to recover from Basta and its application in isolating Cas9-free mutants

After successfully performing Agrobacterium-mediated CRISPR-Cas9-based gene editing in plants, isolation of the Cas9 T-DNA is essential for the stable inheritance of induced mutations. Here, we report a simple technique that allows the isolation of Cas9-free mutants, eliminating the need for outcrossing or other intricate methods. This method is based on the ability of Basta-sensitive Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings, which generally perish, to recover and grow once transplanted to Basta-free growth media. By growing gene-edited heterozygous populations of single-locus insertion Basta-resistant plants on Basta selection media, plants lacking the Cas9 T-DNA can be identified. These pale-looking plants lacking Cas9 are then rescued on media lacking the Basta to recover Cas9-free plants. The ability of seedlings to recover from Basta selection was also studied in camelina, canola, and wheat. All three crops showed different recovery rates, with wheat demonstrating the highest recovery once transplanted from Basta to normal growth media. In summary, our findings demonstrate that by harnessing the recovery capability of Basta-sensitive seedlings, we can effectively identify and rescue plants lacking the Cas9 T-DNA, enabling the isolation of Cas9-free mutants in Arabidopsis and potentially extending to other crops.

Gene editing in livestock: innovations and applications

Gene editing technologies have revolutionized the field of livestock breeding, offering unprecedented opportunities to enhance animal welfare, productivity, and sustainability. This paper provides a comprehensive review of recent innovations and applications of gene editing in livestock, exploring the diverse applications of gene editing in livestock breeding, as well as the regulatory and ethical considerations, and the current challenges and prospects of the technology in the industry. Overall, this review underscores the transformative potential of gene editing in livestock breeding and its pivotal role in shaping the future of agriculture and biomedicine.

Genetic therapies and potential therapeutic applications of CRISPR activators in the eye

Conventional gene therapy involving supplementation only treats loss-of-function diseases and is limited by viral packaging sizes, precluding therapy of large genes. The discovery of CRISPR/Cas has led to a paradigm shift in the field of genetic therapy, with the promise of precise gene editing, thus broadening the range of diseases that can be treated. The initial uses of CRISPR/Cas have focused mainly on gene editing or silencing of abnormal variants via utilising Cas endonuclease to trigger the target cell endogenous non-homologous end joining. Subsequently, the technology has evolved to modify the Cas enzyme and even its guide RNA, leading to more efficient editing tools in the form of base and prime editing. Further advancements of this CRISPR/Cas technology itself have expanded its functional repertoire from targeted editing to programmable transactivation, shifting the therapeutic focus to precise endogenous gene activation or upregulation with the potential for epigenetic modifications. In vivo experiments using this platform have demonstrated the potential of CRISPR-activators (CRISPRa) to treat various loss-of-function diseases, as well as in regenerative medicine, highlighting their versatility to overcome limitations associated with conventional strategies. This review summarises the molecular mechanisms of CRISPRa platforms, the current applications of this technology in vivo, and discusses potential solutions to translational hurdles for this therapy, with a focus on ophthalmic diseases.

Advances in delivery systems for CRISPR/Cas-mediated cancer treatment: a focus on viral vectors and extracellular vesicles

The delivery of CRISPR/Cas systems holds immense potential for revolutionizing cancer treatment, with recent advancements focusing on extracellular vesicles (EVs) and viral vectors. EVs, particularly exosomes, offer promising opportunities for targeted therapy due to their natural cargo transport capabilities. Engineered EVs have shown efficacy in delivering CRISPR/Cas components to tumor cells, resulting in inhibited cancer cell proliferation and enhanced chemotherapy sensitivity. However, challenges such as off-target effects and immune responses remain significant hurdles. Viral vectors, including adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) and adenoviral vectors (AdVs), represent robust delivery platforms for CRISPR/Cas systems. AAVs, known for their safety profile, have already been employed in clinical trials for gene therapy, demonstrating their potential in cancer treatment. AdVs, capable of infecting both dividing and non-dividing cells, offer versatility in CRISPR/Cas delivery for disease modeling and drug discovery. Despite their efficacy, viral vectors present several challenges, including immune responses and off-target effects. Future directions entail refining delivery systems to enhance specificity and minimize adverse effects, heralding personalized and effective CRISPR/Cas-mediated cancer therapies. This article underscores the importance of optimized delivery mechanisms in realizing the full therapeutic potential of CRISPR/Cas technology in oncology. As the field progresses, addressing these challenges will be pivotal for translating CRISPR/Cas-mediated cancer treatments from bench to bedside.

Advances in CRISPR/Cas systems-based cell and gene therapy

Cell and gene therapy are innovative biomedical strategies aimed at addressing diseases at their genetic origins. CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) systems have become a groundbreaking tool in cell and gene therapy, offering unprecedented precision and versatility in genome editing. This chapter explores the role of CRISPR in gene editing, tracing its historical development and discussing biomolecular formats such as plasmid, RNA, and protein-based approaches. Next, we discuss CRISPR delivery methods, including viral and non-viral vectors, followed by examining the various engineered CRISPR variants for their potential in gene therapy. Finally, we outline emerging clinical applications, highlighting the advancements in CRISPR for breakthrough medical treatments.

Gene therapy for CNS disorders: modalities, delivery and translational challenges

Gene therapy is emerging as a powerful tool to modulate abnormal gene expression, a hallmark of most CNS disorders. The transformative potentials of recently approved gene therapies for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and active cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy are encouraging further development of this approach. However, most attempts to translate gene therapy to the clinic have failed to make it to market. There is an urgent need not only to tailor the genes that are targeted to the pathology of interest but to also address delivery challenges and thereby maximize the utility of genetic tools. In this Review, we provide an overview of gene therapy modalities for CNS diseases, emphasizing the interconnectedness of different delivery strategies and routes of administration. Important gaps in understanding that could accelerate the clinical translatability of CNS genetic interventions are addressed, and we present lessons learned from failed clinical trials that may guide the future development of gene therapies for the treatment and management of CNS disorders.

A review on molecular scissoring with CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technology

Genome editing is a technology to make specific changes in the DNA of a cell or an organism. It has significantly altered the landscape of life sciences, facilitating the establishment of exceedingly customized genetic modifications. Among various genome editing technologies, the CRISPR/Cas9 system, a specific endonuclease induces a double stranded DNA break and enabling modifications to the genome, has surfaced as a formidable and adaptable instrument. Its significance cannot be overstated, as it not only allows for the manipulation of genomes in model organisms but also holds great potential for revolutionary advances in medicine, particularly in treating genetic diseases. This review paper explores the remarkable journey of CRISPR/Cas9, its natural function, mechanisms, and transformative impact on genome editing and finally the use of artificial intelligence and other intelligent manufacturing tools used. The introduction provides the background on genome editing, emphasizing the emergence and significance of CRISPR/Cas9. Subsequent sections comprehensively elucidate its natural function, disease modeling, agriculture, and biotechnology, address therapeutic applications, and ongoing clinical trials while also discussing prospects and ethical implications. We summarized the key findings, indicating that CRISPR/Cas9 has empowered the creation of disease-specific animal models. This provides invaluable insights into pathogenic mechanisms and opens new avenues for drug discovery, reaffirming the transformative impact of CRISPR/Cas9 on genome editing. Finally we discussed the importance of continued research and collaboration for comprehensive utilization of the inherent capabilities of this molecular precision tool in shaping forthcoming advancements.

Genome-Editing Products Line up for the Market: Will Europe Harvest the Benefits from Science and Innovation?

Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) technologies have revolutionized genome editing, significantly advancing the improvement of cultivated crop species. This review provides an overview of genome-edited crops that have either reached the market or received the necessary approvals but are not yet available to consumers. We analyze various genome-editing studies to understand the distribution of different genome-editing systems, the types of site-directed nucleases employed, and the geographical spread of these studies, with a specific focus on global and European contexts. Additionally, we examine the target crops involved. The review also outlines the multiple steps required for the legal acceptance of genome-edited crops within European jurisdictions. We conclude with suggestions for the future prospects of genome-editing research in Europe, aiming to streamline the approval process and enhance the development and adoption of genome-edited crops.

Genetic Engineering and Innovative Cultivation Strategies for Enhancing the Lutein Production in Microalgae

Carotenoids, with their diverse biological activities and potential pharmaceutical applications, have garnered significant attention as essential nutraceuticals. Microalgae, as natural producers of these bioactive compounds, offer a promising avenue for sustainable and cost-effective carotenoid production. Despite the ability to cultivate microalgae for its high-value carotenoids with health benefits, only astaxanthin and β-carotene are produced on a commercial scale by Haematococcus pluvialis and Dunaliella salina, respectively. This review explores recent advancements in genetic engineering and cultivation strategies to enhance the production of lutein by microalgae. Techniques such as random mutagenesis, genetic engineering, including CRISPR technology and multi-omics approaches, are discussed in detail for their impact on improving lutein production. Innovative cultivation strategies are compared, highlighting their advantages and challenges. The paper concludes by identifying future research directions, challenges, and proposing strategies for the continued advancement of cost-effective and genetically engineered microalgal carotenoids for pharmaceutical applications.

Precise Gene Knock-In Tools with Minimized Risk of DSBs: A Trend for Gene Manipulation

Gene knock-in refers to the insertion of exogenous functional genes into a target genome to achieve continuous expression. Currently, most knock-in tools are based on site-directed nucleases, which can induce double-strand breaks (DSBs) at the target, following which the designed donors carrying functional genes can be inserted via the endogenous gene repair pathway. The size of donor genes is limited by the characteristics of gene repair, and the DSBs induce risks like genotoxicity. New generation tools, such as prime editing, transposase, and integrase, can insert larger gene fragments while minimizing or eliminating the risk of DSBs, opening new avenues in the development of animal models and gene therapy. However, the elimination of off-target events and the production of delivery carriers with precise requirements remain challenging, restricting the application of the current knock-in treatments to mainly in vitro settings. Here, a comprehensive review of the knock-in tools that do not/minimally rely on DSBs and use other mechanisms is provided. Moreover, the challenges and recent advances of in vivo knock-in treatments in terms of the therapeutic process is discussed. Collectively, the new generation of DSBs-minimizing and large-fragment knock-in tools has revolutionized the field of gene editing, from basic research to clinical treatment.

Unlocking the nutritional potential of chickpea: strategies for biofortification and enhanced multinutrient quality

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is a vital grain legume, offering an excellent balance of protein, carbohydrates, fats, fiber, essential micronutrients, and vitamins that can contribute to addressing the global population's increasing food and nutritional demands. Chickpea protein offers a balanced source of amino acids with high bioavailability. Moreover, due to its balanced nutrients and affordable price, chickpea is an excellent alternative to animal protein, offering a formidable tool for combating hidden hunger and malnutrition, particularly prevalent in low-income countries. This review examines chickpea's nutritional profile, encompassing protein, amino acids, carbohydrates, fatty acids, micronutrients, vitamins, antioxidant properties, and bioactive compounds of significance in health and pharmaceutical domains. Emphasis is placed on incorporating chickpeas into diets for their myriad health benefits and nutritional richness, aimed at enhancing human protein and micronutrient nutrition. We discuss advances in plant breeding and genomics that have facilitated the discovery of diverse genotypes and key genomic variants/regions/quantitative trait loci contributing to enhanced macro- and micronutrient contents and other quality parameters. Furthermore, we explore the potential of innovative breeding tools such as CRISPR/Cas9 in enhancing chickpea's nutritional profile. Envisioning chickpea as a nutritionally smart crop, we endeavor to safeguard food security, combat hunger and malnutrition, and promote dietary diversity within sustainable agrifood systems.

Exploiting viral vectors to deliver genome editing reagents in plants

Genome editing holds great promise for the molecular breeding of plants, yet its application is hindered by the shortage of simple and effective means of delivering genome editing reagents into plants. Conventional plant transformation-based methods for delivery of genome editing reagents into plants often involve prolonged tissue culture, a labor-intensive and technically challenging process for many elite crop cultivars. In this review, we describe various virus-based methods that have been employed to deliver genome editing reagents, including components of the CRISPR/Cas machinery and donor DNA for precision editing in plants. We update the progress in these methods with recent successful examples of genome editing achieved through virus-based delivery in different plant species, highlight the advantages and limitations of these delivery approaches, and discuss the remaining challenges.

Modifying lignin: A promising strategy for plant disease control

Lignin is a complex polymer found in the cell walls of plants, providing structural support and protection against pathogens. By modifying lignin composition and structure, scientists aim to optimize plant defense responses and increase resistance to pathogens. This can be achieved through various genetic engineering techniques which involve manipulating the genes responsible for lignin synthesis. By either up regulating or down regulating specific genes, researchers can alter the lignin content, composition, or distribution in plant tissues. Reducing lignin content in specific tissues like leaves can improve the effectiveness of defense mechanisms by allowing for better penetration of antimicrobial compounds. Overall, Lignin modification through techniques has shown promising results in enhancing various plants resistance against pathogens. Furthermore, lignin modification can have additional benefits beyond pathogen resistance. It can improve biomass processing for biofuel production by reducing lignin recalcitrance, making the extraction of sugars from cellulose more efficient. The complexity of lignin biosynthesis and its interactions with other plant components make it a challenging target for modification. Additionally, the potential environmental impact and regulatory considerations associated with genetically modified organisms (GMOs) require careful evaluation. Ongoing research aims to further optimize this approach and develop sustainable solutions for crop protection.

Tools for editing the mammalian mitochondrial genome

The manipulation of animal mitochondrial genomes has long been a challenge due to the lack of an effective transformation method. With the discovery of specific gene editing enzymes, designed to target pathogenic mitochondrial DNA mutations (often heteroplasmic), the selective removal or modification of mutant variants has become a reality. Because mitochondria cannot efficiently import RNAs, CRISPR has not been the first choice for editing mitochondrial genes. However, the last few years witnessed an explosion in novel and optimized non-CRISPR approaches to promote double-strand breaks or base-edit of mtDNA in vivo. Engineered forms of specific nucleases and cytidine/adenine deaminases form the basis for these techniques. I will review the newest developments that constitute the current toolbox for animal mtDNA gene editing in vivo, bringing these approaches not only to the exploration of mitochondrial function, but also closer to clinical use.

CRISPR-Cas9 editing efficiency in fission yeast is not limited by homology search and is improved by combining gap-repair with fluoride selection

Protocols for CRISPR-Cas9 editing have been implemented in most model organisms, including fission yeast, for which some improvements have also been later described. Here, we report an improvement to the CRISPR-Cas9 protocol in fission yeast, as we combine a cloning free gap-repair method with our previously described fluoride selection marker, which speeds up genome editing. We also report a wide variability of editing efficiencies at different loci along the genome, and we demonstrate that this variability cannot be explained by the location of the edited sequences in the genome. Lastly, our attempt at improving editing efficiency by targeting the donor DNA to the cut site using a HaloTag strategy to link the donor DNA to two proteins of the homologous recombination repair machinery ( Rad51 or Rad52 ) fell short, which shows that editing efficiency in fission yeast is likely not limited by homology search.

A quest for cytosolic sequons and their functions

Evolution shapes protein sequences for their functions. Here, we studied the moonlighting functions of the N-linked sequon NXS/T, where X is not P, in human nucleocytosolic proteins. By comparing membrane and secreted proteins in which sequons are well known for N-glycosylation, we discovered that cyto-sequons can participate in nucleic acid binding, particularly in zinc finger proteins. Our global studies further discovered that sequon occurrence is largely proportional to protein length. The contribution of sequons to protein functions, including both N-glycosylation and nucleic acid binding, can be regulated through their density as well as the biased usage between NXS and NXT. In proteins where other PTMs or structural features are rich, such as phosphorylation, transmembrane ɑ-helices, and disulfide bridges, sequon occurrence is scarce. The information acquired here should help understand the relationship between protein sequence and function and assist future protein design and engineering.

CRISPR-Based Gene Editing Techniques in Pediatric Neurological Disorders

The emergence of gene editing technologies offers a unique opportunity to develop mutation-specific treatments for pediatric neurological disorders. Gene editing systems can potentially alter disease trajectory by correcting dysfunctional mutations or therapeutically altering gene expression. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-based approaches are attractive gene therapy platforms to personalize treatments because of their specificity, ease of design, versatility, and cost. However, many such approaches remain in the early stages of development, with ongoing efforts to optimize editing efficiency, minimize unintended off-target effects, and mitigate pathologic immune responses. Given the rapid evolution of CRISPR-based therapies, it is prudent for the clinically based child neurologist to have a conceptual understanding of what such therapies may entail, including both benefits and risks and how such therapies may be clinically applied. In this review, we describe the fundamentals of CRISPR-based therapies, discuss the opportunities and challenges that have arisen, and highlight preclinical work in several pediatric neurological diseases.

Crop bioengineering via gene editing: reshaping the future of agriculture

Genome-editing technologies have revolutionized research in plant biology, with major implications for agriculture and worldwide food security, particularly in the face of challenges such as climate change and increasing human populations. Among these technologies, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats [CRISPR]-CRISPR-associated protein [Cas] systems are now widely used for editing crop plant genomes. In this review, we provide an overview of CRISPR-Cas technology and its most significant applications for improving crop sustainability. We also review current and potential technological advances that will aid in the future breeding of crops to enhance food security worldwide. Finally, we discuss the obstacles and challenges that must be overcome to realize the maximum potential of genome-editing technologies for future crop and food production.

Optimization of CRISPR-Cas9 system in Eustoma grandiflorum

The optimization of the CRISPR-Cas9 system for enhancing editing efficiency holds significant value in scientific research. In this study, we optimized single guide RNA and Cas9 promoters of the CRISPR-Cas9 vector and established an efficient protoplast isolation and transient transformation system in Eustoma grandiflorum, and we successfully applied the modified CRISPR-Cas9 system to detect editing efficiency of the EgPDS gene. The activity of the EgU6-2 promoter in E. grandiflorum protoplasts was approximately three times higher than that of the GmU6 promoter. This promoter, along with the EgUBQ10 promoter, was applied in the CRISPR-Cas9 cassette, the modified CRISPR-Cas9 vectors that pEgU6-2::sgRNA-2/pEgUBQ10::Cas9-2 editing efficiency was 37.7%, which was 30.3% higher than that of the control, and the types of mutation are base substitutions, small fragment deletions and insertions. Finally we obtained an efficient gene editing vector for E. grandiflorum. This project provides an important technical platform for the study of gene function in E. grandiflorum.

CRISPR/Cas genome editing in plants: mechanisms, applications, and overcoming bottlenecks

The CRISPR/Cas systems have emerged as transformative tools for precisely manipulating plant genomes and enhancement. It has provided unparalleled applications from modifying the plant genomes to resistant enhancement. This review manuscript summarises the mechanism, application, and current challenges in the CRISPR/Cas genome editing technology. It addresses the molecular mechanisms of different Cas genes, elucidating their applications in various plants through crop improvement, disease resistance, and trait improvement. The advent of the CRISPR/Cas systems has enabled researchers to precisely modify plant genomes through gene knockouts, knock-ins, and gene expression modulation. Despite these successes, the CRISPR/Cas technology faces challenges, including off-target effects, Cas toxicity, and efficiency. In this manuscript, we also discuss these challenges and outline ongoing strategies employed to overcome these challenges, including the development of novel CRISPR/Cas variants with improved specificity and specific delivery methods for different plant species. The manuscript will conclude by addressing the future perspectives of the CRISPR/Cas technology in plants. Although this review manuscript is not conclusive, it aims to provide immense insights into the current state and future potential of CRISPR/Cas in sustainable and secure plant production.

Precise genome-editing in human diseases: mechanisms, strategies and applications

Precise genome-editing platforms are versatile tools for generating specific, site-directed DNA insertions, deletions, and substitutions. The continuous enhancement of these tools has led to a revolution in the life sciences, which promises to deliver novel therapies for genetic disease. Precise genome-editing can be traced back to the 1950s with the discovery of DNA's double-helix and, after 70 years of development, has evolved from crude in vitro applications to a wide range of sophisticated capabilities, including in vivo applications. Nonetheless, precise genome-editing faces constraints such as modest efficiency, delivery challenges, and off-target effects. In this review, we explore precise genome-editing, with a focus on introduction of the landmark events in its history, various platforms, delivery systems, and applications. First, we discuss the landmark events in the history of precise genome-editing. Second, we describe the current state of precise genome-editing strategies and explain how these techniques offer unprecedented precision and versatility for modifying the human genome. Third, we introduce the current delivery systems used to deploy precise genome-editing components through DNA, RNA, and RNPs. Finally, we summarize the current applications of precise genome-editing in labeling endogenous genes, screening genetic variants, molecular recording, generating disease models, and gene therapy, including ex vivo therapy and in vivo therapy, and discuss potential future advances.

Genetic biofortification: advancing crop nutrition to tackle hidden hunger

Malnutrition, often termed "hidden hunger," represents a pervasive global issue carrying significant implications for health, development, and socioeconomic conditions. Addressing the challenge of inadequate essential nutrients, despite sufficient caloric intake, is crucial. Biofortification emerges as a promising solution by enhance the presence of vital nutrients like iron, zinc, iodine, and vitamin A in edible parts of different crop plants. Crop biofortification can be attained through either agronomic methods or genetic breeding techniques. Agronomic strategies for biofortification encompass the application of mineral fertilizers through foliar or soil methods, as well as leveraging microbe-mediated mechanisms to enhance nutrient uptake. On the other hand, genetic biofortification involves the strategic crossing of plants to achieve a desired combination of genes, promoting balanced nutrient uptake and bioavailability. Additionally, genetic biofortification encompasses innovative methods such as speed breeding, transgenic approaches, genome editing techniques, and integrated omics approaches. These diverse strategies collectively contribute to enhancing the nutritional profile of crops. This review highlights the above-said genetic biofortification strategies and it also covers the aspect of reduction in antinutritional components in food through genetic biofortification.

Epigenome editing for targeted DNA (de)methylation: a new perspective in modulating gene expression

Traditionally, it has been believed that inheritance is driven as phenotypic variations resulting from changes in DNA sequence. However, this paradigm has been challenged and redefined in the contemporary era of epigenetics. The changes in DNA methylation, histone modification, non-coding RNA biogenesis, and chromatin remodeling play crucial roles in genomic functions and regulation of gene expression. More importantly, some of these changes are inherited to the next generations as a part of epigenetic memory and play significant roles in gene expression. The sum total of all changes in DNA bases, histone proteins, and ncRNA biogenesis constitutes the epigenome. Continuous progress in deciphering epigenetic regulations and the existence of heritable epigenetic/epiallelic variations associated with trait of interest enables to deploy epigenome editing tools to modulate gene expression. DNA methylation marks can be utilized in epigenome editing for the manipulation of gene expression. Initially, genome/epigenome editing technologies relied on zinc-finger protein or transcriptional activator-like effector protein. However, the discovery of clustered regulatory interspaced short palindromic repeats CRISPR)/deadCRISPR-associated protein 9 (dCas9) enabled epigenome editing to be more specific/efficient for targeted DNA (de)methylation. One of the major concerns has been the off-target effects, wherein epigenome editing may unintentionally modify gene/regulatory element which may cause unintended change/harmful effects. Moreover, epigenome editing of germline cell raises several ethical/safety issues. This review focuses on the recent developments in epigenome editing tools/techniques, technological limitations, and future perspectives of this emerging technology in therapeutics for human diseases as well as plant improvement to achieve sustainable developmental goals.

Nanoparticle-mediated delivery of non-viral gene editing technology to the brain

Neurological disorders pose a significant burden on individuals and society, affecting millions worldwide. These disorders, including but not limited to Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and Huntington's disease, often have limited treatment options and can lead to progressive degeneration and disability. Gene editing technologies, including Zinc Finger Nucleases (ZFN), Transcription Activator-Like Effector Nucleases (TALEN), and Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats-associated Protein 9 (CRISPR-Cas9), offer a promising avenue for potential cures by targeting and correcting the underlying genetic mutations responsible for neurologic disorders. However, efficient delivery methods are crucial for the successful application of gene editing technologies in the context of neurological disorders. The central nervous system presents unique challenges to treatment development due to the blood-brain barrier, which restricts the entry of large molecules. While viral vectors are traditionally used for gene delivery, nonviral delivery methods, such as nanoparticle-mediated delivery, offer safer alternatives that can efficiently transport gene editing components. Herein we aim to introduce the three main gene editing nucleases as nonviral treatments for neurologic disorders, the delivery barriers associated with brain targeting, and the current nonviral techniques used for brain-specific delivery. We highlight the challenges and opportunities for future research in this exciting and growing field that could lead to blood-brain barrier bypassing therapeutic gene editing.

RNA-Based Vaccines and Therapeutics Against Intracellular Pathogens

RNA-based vaccines have sparked a paradigm shift in the treatment and prevention of diseases by nucleic acid medicines. There has been a notable surge in the development of nucleic acid therapeutics and vaccines following the global approval of the two messenger RNA-based COVID-19 vaccines. This growth is fueled by the exploration of numerous RNA products in preclinical stages, offering several advantages over conventional methods, i.e., safety, efficacy, scalability, and cost-effectiveness. In this chapter, we provide an overview of various types of RNA and their mechanisms of action for stimulating immune responses and inducing therapeutic effects. Furthermore, this chapter delves into the varying delivery systems, particularly emphasizing the use of nanoparticles to deliver RNA. The choice of delivery system is an intricate process involved in developing nucleic acid medicines that significantly enhances their stability, biocompatibility, and site-specificity. Additionally, this chapter sheds light on the current landscape of clinical trials of RNA therapeutics and vaccines against intracellular pathogens.

CRISPR/Cas9 Technology: A Novel Approach to Obesity Research

Gene editing technology, particularly Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) has transformed medical research. As a newly developed genome editing technique, CRISPR technology has strongly assisted scientists in enriching their comprehension of the roles of individual genes and their influences on a vast spectrum of human malignancies. Despite considerable progress in elucidating obesity's molecular pathways, current anti-obesity medications fall short in effectiveness. A thorough understanding of the genetic foundations underlying various neurobiological pathways related to obesity, as well as the neuro-molecular mechanisms involved, is crucial for developing effective obesity treatments. Utilizing CRISPR-based technologies enables precise determination of the roles of genes that encode transcription factors or enzymes involved in processes, such as lipogenesis, lipolysis, glucose metabolism, and lipid storage within adipose tissue. This innovative approach allows for the targeted suppression or activation of genes regulating obesity, potentially leading to effective weight management strategies. In this review, we have provided a detailed overview of obesity's molecular genetics, the fundamentals of CRISPR/Cas9 technology, and how this technology contributes to the discovery and therapeutic targeting of new genes associated with obesity.

Gene-editing technology, from macromolecule therapeutics to organ transplantation: Applications, limitations, and prospective uses

Gene editing technologies (GETs) could induce gene knockdown or gene knockout for biomedical applications. The clinical success of gene silence by RNAi therapies pays attention to other GETs as therapeutic approaches. This review aims to highlight GETs, categories, mechanisms, challenges, current use, and prospective applications. The different academic search engines, electronic databases, and bibliographies of selected articles were used in the preparation of this review with a focus on the fundamental considerations. The present results revealed that, among GETs, CRISPR/Cas9 has higher editing efficiency and targeting specificity compared to other GETs to insert, delete, modify, or replace the gene at a specific location in the host genome. Therefore, CRISPR/Cas9 is talented in the production of molecular, tissue, cell, and organ therapies. Consequently, GETs could be used in the discovery of innovative therapeutics for genetic diseases, pandemics, cancer, hopeless diseases, and organ failure. Specifically, GETs have been used to produce gene-modified animals to spare human organ failure. Genetically modified pigs are used in clinical trials as a source of heart, liver, kidneys, and lungs for xenotransplantation (XT) in humans. Viral, non-viral, and hybrid vectors have been utilized for the delivery of GETs with some limitations. Therefore, extracellular vesicles (EVs) are proposed as intelligent and future cargoes for GETs delivery in clinical applications. This study concluded that GETs are promising for the production of molecular, cellular, and organ therapies. The use of GETs as XT is still in the early stage as well and they have ethical and biosafety issues.

Base editing corrects the common Salla disease SLC17A5 c.115C>T variant

Free sialic acid storage disorders (FSASDs) result from pathogenic variations in the SLC17A5 gene, which encodes the lysosomal transmembrane protein sialin. Loss or deficiency of sialin impairs FSA transport out of the lysosome, leading to cellular dysfunction and neurological impairment, with the most severe form of FSASD resulting in death during early childhood. There are currently no therapies for FSASDs. Here, we evaluated the efficacy of CRISPR-Cas9-mediated homology directed repair (HDR) and adenine base editing (ABE) targeting the founder variant, SLC17A5 c.115C>T (p.Arg39Cys) in human dermal fibroblasts. We observed minimal correction of the pathogenic variant in HDR samples with a high frequency of undesired insertions/deletions (indels) and significant levels of correction for ABE-treated samples with no detectable indels, supporting previous work showing that CRISPR-Cas9-mediated ABE outperforms HDR. Furthermore, ABE treatment of either homozygous or compound heterozygous SLC17A5 c.115C>T human dermal fibroblasts demonstrated significant FSA reduction, supporting amelioration of disease pathology. Translation of this ABE strategy to mouse embryonic fibroblasts harboring the Slc17a5 c.115C>T variant in homozygosity recapitulated these results. Our study demonstrates the feasibility of base editing as a therapeutic approach for the FSASD variant SLC17A5 c.115C>T and highlights the usefulness of base editing in monogenic diseases where transmembrane protein function is impaired.