What is CRISPR? How does it work?
The CRISPR-Cas system, sometimes referred to as “CRISPR” for short, is a technology for editing DNA. It is made of a guide RNA and a Cas protein. The guide RNA leads the Cas protein to a particular DNA sequence. The Cas protein then acts as molecular scissors, cutting the DNA. When DNA is cut, cells initiate a repair process that can change or edit the DNA sequence. CRISPR can remove, add, or change DNA "letters."
For more information, see our page that explains how CRISPR works, and watch IGI founder Jennifer Doudna walk through the basics of CRISPR genome editing.