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Crispr , dubbed as the discovery of the century has been used in variety of applications. It is used in genome editing, epigenetic modification, modulation of gene expression, locus identification (CASFISH). Recently it has also been used in drug delivery. Crispr has revolutionised biology. Traditional fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) requires DNA denaturation, while fluorescent labeled- dCas9 assembled in vitro with sgRNA (CASFISH) detects genomic loci only in fixed samples.  Here, this study report a live imaging approach, CRISPR LiveFISH for the first time, that allows real-time study of various chromosomal functions in living cells. They developed CRISPR LiveFISH, an approach that deploys fluorescent gRNA probes assembled with dCas9 to target and label genomic sequences in living cells. They tested CRISPR LiveFISH on cells derived from patients with Patau Syndrome, a Chr13 trisomy genetic disorder that results in organ defects, intellectual and physical ...

Drugs (or any molecules) could be delivered to the target site and released under the control of CRISPR 12a. CRISPR Cas12a James Collins, MIT, Cambridge  used  CRISPR  to deliver drug molecules .  They used water-filled polymers that are held together by strands of DNA, known as DNA hydrogels. To alter the properties of these materials, Collins's team used a form of CRISPR called Cas12a. (The gene-editor CRISPR–Cas9 uses the Cas9 enzyme to snip a DNA sequence at the desired point.) The Cas12a enzyme can be programmed to recognize a specific DNA sequence. The enzyme cuts its target DNA strand, then severs single strands of DNA nearby. This property allowed the researchers to build a series of CRISPR-controlled hydrogels containing a target DNA sequence and single strands of DNA, which breaks up after Cas12a recognizes the target sequence in a stimulus. The break-up of the single DNA strands triggers the hydrogels to change shape or, in some ...

CRISPR-cas13: the only RNA editing CRISPR till date. CRISPR RNA targeting CRISPR-cas13 provides immunity against dsDNA phage without cutting the genome, unlike the other 5 types which work by cutting the genome. CRISPR-Cas13 works differently.  It provides herd immunity to the bacteria. CRISPR-Cas13 There are six types of CRISPR in literature till now (1-6). CRISPR Cas VI is the only one that cuts the RNA. It cuts the RNA transcript complementary to the target sequence of the mRNA . After cutting the complementary RNA, it starts cutting all other mRNAs of the phage which Scientists called Collateral damage. This is the phenomena that provide Herd immunity. 3D structure of CRIPSR-Cas References: Cas13 Helps Bacteria Play Dead when the Enemy Strikes. Cell Host and Microbe . https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chom.2019.06.012 Follow and like Layman's Biology Facebook page for more news

Top 5 public companies working on gene editing . The ranking based on the revenues generated in 2018. 1.    Sangamo Therapeutics: $84.5million  This is an American biotechnology company. They apply cell and gene therapy to combat hemophilia and other genetic diseases. They base the company in California, USA. They develop Zinc Finger gene-editing technology. Clinical trials involving gene editing using Zinc Finger Nuclease (ZFN) are ongoing. Sangamo therapeutics building 2.    Horizon Discovery Group: $73.7m It is a gene-editing company that designs and engineers genetically modified cells and then applies them in research and clinical applications that advance human health. They used three gene-editing tools CRISPR, ZFN, and recombinant A deno -associated virus ( rAAV ). The company saw a 68% rise in revenue. The revenue was  £58.7million and based in Waterbeach, United Kingdom. Horizon discovery group main building 3...