CRISPR - Cas 9 Technology

Hello all!!

Today I would like to make you aware of recently recognized CRISPR - Cas9 technology.

The 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was jointly awarded to Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer A. Doudna for their work on the development of CRISPR-Cas9, a novel method for genome editing. Their work was described as “rewriting the code of life”.

How CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing works?

CRISPR stands for CLUSTERED REGULARLY INTERSPACED SHORT PALINDROMIC REPEATS and is a family of DNA sequences that are found in genomes of bacteria and other single-celled organisms called archaea.

Cas9, which stands for CRISPR Associated Protein 9, is a protein that cuts DNA, providing the ability to modify the genome.

The sequences also contain the genome of a bacteriophage (a virus that can infect a bacteria) - that has previously infected the bacteria or archaea.

These DNA sequences can then be used to detect and destroy DNA from similar bacteriophages in the future and play a key role in antiviral immune systems in bacteria, which is called the CRISPR-Cas system.

The CRISPR-Cas9 system, also known as ‘Genetic Scissors’, can recognize DNA from viruses naturally and prevent future infections. 

Charpentier and Doudna were able to determine that this mechanism could be controlled and any DNA molecule can be cut at a predetermined site.

Once a DNA is cut, it can be rewritten by inserting a different sequence and its code modified. 

This process can be used to alter the DNA of almost any organism.

Development and laureates’ contributions

They recreated the bacteria’s genetic scissors in a test tube and were eventually able to reprogram 

the entire CRISPR-Cas9 system so that it could be controlled and be used to cut any DNA molecule at a specific site on the genetic sequence, thus fundamentally altering the genetic code of the organism.

Charpentier and Doudna published their groundbreaking work in 2012. 

Since 2012, CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing has been adopted widely and rapidly due to its simplicity and cost-effectiveness.

Inexpensive ‘do-it-yourself’ CRISPR toolkits are even available online.

Nobel selection criticisms:

The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences has been criticized for its lack of female winners across disciplines, but especially in the sciences, for several decades now.

The Chemistry Nobel has been awarded to a total of 178 male scientists and only seven female scientists, so far.

Lise Meitner, who discovered nuclear fission with Otto Hahn was nominated 48 times, but the Nobel was awarded to Hahn solely in 1944. 

The struggle is REAL :|

In recent years, the scientific community had been urging the committee to award the Nobel to scientists for their work on CRISPR, which was considered a favourite to win this year.

Applications of CRISPR:

1. CRISPR - Cas9 technology has been used to modify the genomes of 3 cancer patients to reprogram the immune system to fight off cancer cells in February this year, with no side effects so far. 

2. It has also been used to eliminate HIV from infected cells.

3. It is being used to reverse congenital blindness, combat diseases such as Huntington’s as well as chronic pain.

4. CRISPR has been used successfully in plants as well, to develop crops that are resistant to pests and drought.

I am really happy that something is finally invented and recognised to cure these deadly diseases and disorders. 

When I was in 12th std and studied something about biotechnology and wasn't aware of CRISPR, I had a thought to be a biotechnologist and cure these diseases and disorders permanently by developing the technology like CRISPR and serve the society and here it is - CRISPR Cas9 TECHNOLOGY.

And I am already an emanating biotechnologist; who is eagerly waiting to invent something great which can serve our Nation India and held the Indian people's head high :)

My thoughts on CRISPR 

There will be a time after decades that people will have easy access to this technology and will be able to edit their DNA by their choice.

For eg. - If they want to grow a tail, they will activate the gene responsible for the tail.

If they want to have horns on their head to fight with someone, they will activate the genes responsible for the horns to grow >< and then again can silence their gene when not needed.

Then, the time will come when people will start decorating and will give different filters to their horns and tails to look cool :P

Well, this technology can be a boon or a bane. It's on you, how to use it!

This reminds me of the Panchatantra story if you have ever read and remember it still - The one where Brahma Ji distributed the tails to all the animals and only the bear was left at the end due to his laziness and got the small tail.

I hypothesize that it can be the time when only Brahma Ji was able to afford this CRISPR Cas9 technology :P and all the animals went to him for gene editing and got their tails but when Bear came, the tool of Brahma Ji stopped working properly and the bear got the short tail ><.

That was all the information, humour, and imagination from my side today :)

Once again, would like to thank and congratulate Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer A. Doudna for their invention and recognition.

To know more, refer to the links given below:

https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/chemistry/2020/press-release/

https://www.nobelprize.org/uploads/2020/10/popular-chemistryprize2020.pdf

https://theprint.in/theprint-essential/why-2020-chemistry-nobel-went-to-crispr-cas9-tool-that-can-rewrite-code-of-life/519194/

Happy Reading!!!

~Naisargee