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CRISPR
open-in-new
<p>CRISPR (an <a href="/facts/Acronym/nlHK7aRt">acronym</a> for clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) is a family of <a href="/facts/DNA/nB89Iauz">DNA</a> sequences found in the <a href="/facts/Genome/31Sm08JT">genomes</a> of <a href="/facts/Prokaryotic/oYyvaDDH">prokaryotic</a> organisms such as <a href="/facts/Bacteria/wC8xSCsU">bacteria</a> and <a href="/facts/Archaea/Adxh0aHw">archaea</a>. Each sequence within an individual prokaryotic CRISPR is derived from a DNA fragment of a <a href="/facts/Bacteriophage/L2Ll0T3q">bacteriophage</a> that had previously infected the prokaryote or one of its ancestors. These sequences are used to detect and destroy DNA from similar bacteriophages during subsequent infections. Hence these sequences play a key role in the antiviral (i.e. anti-<a href="/facts/Bacteriophage/L2Ll0T3q">phage</a>) defense system of prokaryotes and provide a form of heritable, <a href="/facts/Acquired_immunity/bc7zT1Jo">acquired immunity</a>. CRISPR is found in approximately 50% of sequenced <a href="/facts/Bacterial_genome/dKP7CIGn">bacterial genomes</a> and nearly 90% of sequenced archaea. </p> <p><a href="/facts/Cas9/gDhwlw7I">Cas9</a> (or "CRISPR-associated protein 9") is an <a href="/facts/Enzyme/DSI1Fh7y">enzyme</a> that uses CRISPR sequences as a guide to recognize and open up specific strands of DNA that are complementary to the CRISPR sequence. Cas9 enzymes together with CRISPR sequences form the basis of a technology known as <a href="/facts/CRISPR_gene_editing/nhPsllUR">CRISPR-Cas9</a> that can be used to edit genes within living organisms. This editing process has a wide variety of applications including basic biological research, development of <a href="/facts/Biotechnology/8eFnI6FB">biotechnological</a> products, and treatment of diseases. The development of the CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing technique was recognized by the <a href="/facts/Nobel_Prize_in_Chemistry/8Nb8Ajjy">Nobel Prize in Chemistry</a> in 2020 awarded to <a href="/facts/Emmanuelle_Charpentier/ofoUIk8c">Emmanuelle Charpentier</a> and <a href="/facts/Jennifer_Doudna/q0DcSxbN">Jennifer Doudna</a>. </p>