Gene editing techniques could modify genes responsible for genetic disorders, such as cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anaemia, and muscular dystrophy. This paves the way for novel therapeutics.
Gene editing could create crops that are more resistant to pests, diseases, and environmental stresses. This increases agricultural productivity and help address global food security challenges.
Gene editing tools enable scientists to study gene function and regulation more precisely. This could advance the field of biology and aid the understanding of diseases and developmental processes.
The CRISPR-Cas9 system is one of the most widely known gene editing tools available today, it utilises a Cas9 endonuclease to induce double stranded breaks (DSBs) in the DNA. While efficient and cost-effective, it suffers from the possibility of off-target edits.
Base editing improves upon the CRISPR-Cas9 system by modifying the genome without introducing DSBs in the DNA. This reduces the likelihood of off-target edits. However, it has a limited range of edits that can be reliably performed.
