CRISPR Ethics: Moral Considerations for Applications of a Powerful Tool

A review on molecular scissoring with CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technology

Genome editing is a technology to make specific changes in the DNA of a cell or an organism. It has significantly altered the landscape of life sciences, facilitating the establishment of exceedingly customized genetic modifications. Among various genome editing technologies, the CRISPR/Cas9 system, a specific endonuclease induces a double stranded DNA break and enabling modifications to the genome, has surfaced as a formidable and adaptable instrument. Its significance cannot be overstated, as it not only allows for the manipulation of genomes in model organisms but also holds great potential for revolutionary advances in medicine, particularly in treating genetic diseases. This review paper explores the remarkable journey of CRISPR/Cas9, its natural function, mechanisms, and transformative impact on genome editing and finally the use of artificial intelligence and other intelligent manufacturing tools used. The introduction provides the background on genome editing, emphasizing the emergence and significance of CRISPR/Cas9. Subsequent sections comprehensively elucidate its natural function, disease modeling, agriculture, and biotechnology, address therapeutic applications, and ongoing clinical trials while also discussing prospects and ethical implications. We summarized the key findings, indicating that CRISPR/Cas9 has empowered the creation of disease-specific animal models. This provides invaluable insights into pathogenic mechanisms and opens new avenues for drug discovery, reaffirming the transformative impact of CRISPR/Cas9 on genome editing. Finally we discussed the importance of continued research and collaboration for comprehensive utilization of the inherent capabilities of this molecular precision tool in shaping forthcoming advancements.

Functionalized extracellular nanovesicles as advanced CRISPR delivery systems

The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) system, an emerging tool for genome editing, has garnered significant public interest for its potential in treating genetic diseases. Despite the rapid advancements in CRISPR technology, the progress in developing effective delivery strategies lags, impeding its clinical application. Extracellular nanovesicles (EVs), either in their endogenous forms or with engineered modifications, have emerged as a promising solution for CRISPR delivery. These EVs offer several advantages, including high biocompatibility, biological permeability, negligible immunogenicity, and straightforward production. Herein, we first summarize various types of functional EVs for CRISPR delivery, such as unmodified, modified, engineered virus-like particles (VLPs), and exosome-liposome hybrid vesicles, and examine their distinct intracellular pathways. Then, we outline the cutting-edge techniques for functionalizing extracellular vesicles, involving producer cell engineering, vesicle engineering, and virus-like particle engineering, emphasizing the diverse CRISPR delivery capabilities of these nanovesicles. Lastly, we address the current challenges and propose rational design strategies for their clinical translation, offering future perspectives on the development of functionalized EVs.

CRISPR-Cas9 potential for identifying novel therapeutic targets in muscle-invasive bladder cancer

Gene editing technologies help identify the genetic perturbations driving tumour initiation, growth, metastasis and resistance to therapeutics. This wealth of information highlights tumour complexity and is driving cancer research towards precision medicine approaches based on an individual's tumour genetics. Bladder cancer is the 11th most common cancer in the UK, with high rates of relapse and low survival rates in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). MIBC is highly heterogeneous and encompasses multiple molecular subtypes, each with different responses to therapeutics. This evidence highlights the need to identify innovative therapeutic targets to address the challenges posed by this heterogeneity. CRISPR-Cas9 technologies have been used to advance our understanding of MIBC and determine novel drug targets through the identification of drug resistance mechanisms, targetable cell-cycle regulators, and novel tumour suppressor and oncogenes. However, the use of these technologies in the clinic remains a substantial challenge and will require careful consideration of dosage, safety and ethics. CRISPR-Cas9 offers considerable potential for revolutionizing bladder cancer therapies, but substantial research is required for validation before these technologies can be used in the clinical setting.

CRISPR-Based Gene Editing: a Modern Approach for Study and Treatment of Cancer

The development and emergence of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) as a genome-editing technology have created a plethora of opportunities in genetic engineering. The ability of sequence-specific addition or removal of DNA in an efficient and cost-effective manner has revolutionized modern research in the field of life science and healthcare. CRISPR is widely used as a genome engineering tool in clinical studies for observing gene expression and metabolic pathway regulations in detail. Even in the case of transgenic research and personalized gene manipulation studies, CRISPR-based technology is used extensively. To understand and even to correct the underlying genetic problem is of cancer, CRISPR-based technology can be used. Various kinds of work is going on throughout the world which are attempting to target different genes in order to discover novel and effective methodologies for the treatment of cancer. In this review, we provide a brief overview on the application of CRISPR gene editing technology in cancer treatment focusing on the key aspects of cancer screening, modelling and therapy techniques.

CRISPR in Targeted Therapy and Adoptive T Cell Immunotherapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Despite recent therapeutic advancements, outcomes for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain unsatisfactory, highlighting the need for novel treatments. The CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) gene-editing technology offers innovative treatment approaches, involving genetic manipulation of either cancer cells or adoptive T cells to combat HCC. This review comprehensively assesses the applications of CRISPR systems in HCC treatment, focusing on in vivo targeting of cancer cells and the development of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells and T cell receptor (TCR)-engineered T cells. We explore potential synergies between CRISPR-based cancer therapeutics and existing treatment options, discussing ongoing clinical trials and the role of CRISPR technology in improving HCC treatment outcomes with advanced safety measures. In summary, this review provides insights into the promising prospects and current challenges of using CRISPR technology in HCC treatment, with the ultimate goal of improving patient outcomes and revolutionizing the landscape of HCC therapeutics.

Comparative ethical evaluation of epigenome editing and genome editing in medicine: first steps and future directions

Targeted modifications of the human epigenome, epigenome editing (EE), are around the corner. For EE, techniques similar to genome editing (GE) techniques are used. While in GE the genetic information is changed by directly modifying DNA, intervening in the epigenome requires modifying the configuration of DNA, for example, how it is folded. This does not come with alterations in the base sequence ('genetic code'). To date, there is almost no ethical debate about EE, whereas the discussions about GE are voluminous. Our article introduces EE into bioethics by translating knowledge from science to ethics and by comparing the risks of EE with those of GE. We, first (I), make the case that a broader ethical debate on EE is due, provide scientific background on EE, compile potential use-cases and recap previous debates. We then (II) compare EE and GE and suggest that the severity of risks of novel gene technologies depends on three factors: (i) the choice of an ex vivo versus an in vivo editing approach, (ii) the time of intervention and intervention windows and (iii) the targeted diseases. Moreover, we show why germline EE is not effective and reject the position of strong epigenetic determinism. We conclude that EE is not always ethically preferable to GE in terms of risks, and end with suggestions for next steps in the current ethical debate on EE by briefly introducing ethical challenges of new areas of preventive applications of EE (III).

The Italian breakthrough in CRISPR trials for rare diseases: a focus on beta-thalassemia and sickle cell disease treatment

The development of gene therapy and the current advantageous method of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPRs) has allowed the implementation of several clinical trials aimed at studying the possible efficacy of gene therapy for rare diseases. Rare diseases pose a global challenge, in that their collective impact on health systems is considerable, whereas their individually rare occurrence hinders research and development of efficient therapies. Despite the low prevalence of individual rare diseases, there are more than 7,000 defined rare diseases affecting 3.5–5.9% of the global population. Rare diseases are mostly chronic and approximately 80% are caused by genetic mutation with an early-life onset. In Italy, in 2021 were recorded more than 400,000 people with rare disease. Because of its location and history, Italy has an unfortunate statistic regarding the presence and prevalence of two rare genetic diseases, namely beta-thalassemia, of which there are about 90 million carriers worldwide, 400,000 of whom are actually affected, and sickle cell disease, with about 300 million carriers and 6.5 million people affected worldwide. Advancements in genomic studies allowed Italy to join clinical trials to study effective and resolving gene therapies for BT and SCD. This study reports on the impact of rare diseases in Italy, ongoing studies, and recent achievements in BT and SCD trials using the CRISPR method and remaining hurdles in the application of CRISPR technology to rare diseases, also taking a glimpse at the newest challenges and future opportunities in the genetic treatment for rare diseases.

CRISPR-Cas9 technology: As an efficient genome modification tool in the cancer diagnosis and treatment

Cancer is the second most common cause of death globally and is a major public health concern. Managing this disease is difficult due to its multiple stages and numerous genetic and epigenetic changes. Traditional cancer diagnosis and treatment methods have limitations, making it crucial to develop new modalities to combat the increasing burden of cancer. The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) system has transformed genetic engineering due to its simplicity, specificity, low cytotoxicity, and cost-effectiveness. It has been proposed as an effective technology to enhance cancer diagnosis and treatment strategies. This article presents the most recent discoveries regarding the structure, mechanism, and delivery methods of the highly powerful genome editing tool, CRISPR-Cas9. In terms of diagnosis, the article examines the role of CRISPR-Cas9 in detecting microRNAs and DNA methylation, and discusses two popular gene detection techniques that utilize the CRISPR-Cas system: DNA endonuclease-targeted CRISPR trans reporter and specific high sensitivity enzymatic reporter unlocking. Regarding treatment, the article explores several genes that have been identified and modified by CRISPR-Cas9 for effective tumorigenesis of common cancers such as breast, lung, and colorectal cancer. The present review also addresses the challenges and ethical issues associated with using CRISPR-Cas9 as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool. Despite some limitations, CRISPR-Cas9-based cancer diagnosis has the potential to become the next generation of cancer diagnostic tools, and the continuous progress of CRISPR-Cas9 can greatly aid in cancer treatment.

The CRISPR Revolution: Unraveling the mysteries of Life's genetic code

A biotechnological revolution is triggered by CRISPR-Cas systems' variety, measured quality, and proficiency. Identifying nucleic acid biomarkers, one of the methods that use CRISPR for diagnosis, is an extremely sensitive diagnostic method.A broad range of infectious and noninfecting diseases, mutations, and CRISPR deletions associated with genetic disorders have been detected using diagnostics. Furthermore, this technology is used to test proteins and micromolecules. We focus on how Cas proteins can be used to detect diseases in genes, agriculture, and cancer therapy. Furthermore, CRISPR technology has many negative impacts on the health of living organisms, environmental and population structures in spite of its numerous contributions to biomedical science. Therefore, an investigation into the impact of genome editing on nontargeted species is important for these reasons. CRISPR in the future is briefly discussed towards the end of this review.

Advancing Precision Medicine with Gene and Cell Therapy in Malaysia: Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications

A new era of gene and cell therapy for treating human diseases has been envisioned for several decades. However, given that the technology can alter any DNA/cell in human beings, it poses specific ethical, legal, and social difficulties in its application. In Malaysia, current bioethics and medical ethics guidelines tackle clinical trials and biomedical research, medical genetic services, and stem cell research/therapy. However, no comprehensive framework and policy is available to cater to ethical gene and cell therapy in the country. Incorporating ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI) would be crucial to guide the appropriate use of human gene and cell therapy in conjunction with precision medicine. Policy experts, scientists, bioethicists, and public members must debate the associated ELSI and the professional code of conduct while preserving human rights.

CRISPR-Based Therapies: Revolutionizing Drug Development and Precision Medicine

With the discovery of CRISPR-Cas9, drug development and precision medicine have undergone a major change. This review article looks at the new ways that CRISPR-based therapies are being used and how they are changing the way medicine is done. CRISPR technology's ability to precisely and flexibly edit genes has opened up new ways to find, validate, and develop drug targets. Also, it has made way for personalized gene therapies, precise gene editing, and advanced screening techniques, all of which hold great promise for treating a wide range of diseases. In this article, we look at the latest research and clinical trials that show how CRISPR could be used to treat genetic diseases, cancer, infectious diseases, and other hard-to-treat conditions. However, ethical issues and problems with regulations are also discussed in relation to CRISPR-based therapies, which shows how important it is to use them safely and responsibly. As CRISPR continues to change how drugs are made and used, this review shines a light on the amazing things that have been done and what the future might hold in this rapidly changing field.

CRISPR and Gene Editing: A Game-changer in Drug Development

CRISPR and gene editing technologies have emerged as transformative tools in medicine, offering unprecedented precision in targeting genetic disorders and revolutionizing drug development. This review explores the multifaceted impact of CRISPR across various medical domains, from hereditary diseases to infectious diseases and cancer. The potential of CRISPR in personalized medicine, therapeutic innovation, and pandemic prevention is highlighted, along with its role in reshaping traditional drug development processes. However, alongside its promise, ethical considerations loom large, particularly regarding germline editing and equitable access to treatments. The commercialization of CRISPR poses further challenges, raising questions about affordability and healthcare equity. Collaboration among scientists, policymakers, and the public is emphasized to navigate the ethical and societal implications of CRISPR responsibly. As the field advances, it is essential to ensure that the benefits of CRISPR are realized while addressing potential risks and maintaining a commitment to the well-being of future generations.

What do people think about genetic engineering? A systematic review of questionnaire surveys before and after the introduction of CRISPR

The advent of CRISPR-Cas9 in 2012 started revolutionizing the field of genetics by broadening the access to a method for precise modification of the human genome. It also brought renewed attention to the ethical issues of genetic modification and the societal acceptance of technology for this purpose. So far, many surveys assessing public attitudes toward genetic modification have been conducted worldwide. Here, we present the results of a systematic review of primary publications of surveys addressing public attitudes toward genetic modification as well as the awareness and knowledge about the technology required for genetic modification. A total of 53 primary publications (1987-2020) focusing on applications in humans and non-human animals were identified, covering countries in four continents. Of the 53 studies, 30 studies from until and including 2012 (pre-CRISPR) address gene therapy in humans and genetic modification of animals for food production and biomedical research. The remaining 23 studies from after 2013 (CRISPR) address gene editing in humans and animals. Across countries, respondents see gene therapy for disease treatment or prevention in humans as desirable and highly acceptable, whereas enhancement is generally met with opposition. When the study distinguishes between somatic and germline applications, somatic gene editing is generally accepted, whereas germline applications are met with ambivalence. The purpose of the application is also important for assessing attitudes toward genetically modified animals: modification in food production is much less accepted than for biomedical application in pre-CRISPR studies. A relationship between knowledge/awareness and attitude toward genetic modification is often present. A critical appraisal of methodology quality in the primary publications with regards to sampling and questionnaire design, development, and administration shows that there is considerable scope for improvement in the reporting of methodological detail. Lack of information is more common in earlier studies, which probably reflects the changing practice in the field.

Examination of Factors Affecting Site-Directed RNA Editing by the MS2-ADAR1 Deaminase System

Adenosine deaminases acting on RNA (ADARs) have double-stranded RNA binding domains and a deaminase domain (DD). We used the MS2 system and specific guide RNAs to direct ADAR1-DD to target adenosines in the mRNA encoding-enhanced green fluorescence protein. Using this system in transfected HEK-293 cells, we evaluated the effects of changing the length and position of the guide RNA on the efficiency of conversion of amber (TAG) and ochre (TAA) stop codons to tryptophan (TGG) in the target. Guide RNAs of 19, 21 and 23 nt were positioned upstream and downstream of the MS2-RNA, providing a total of six guide RNAs. The upstream guide RNAs were more functionally effective than the downstream guide RNAs, with the following hierarchy of efficiency: 21 nt > 23 nt > 19 nt. The highest editing efficiency was 16.6%. Off-target editing was not detected in the guide RNA complementary region but was detected 50 nt downstream of the target. The editing efficiency was proportional to the amount of transfected deaminase but inversely proportional to the amount of the transfected guide RNA. Our results suggest that specific RNA editing requires precise optimization of the ratio of enzyme, guide RNA, and target RNA.

Enhancing Crop Resilience to Drought Stress through CRISPR-Cas9 Genome Editing

With increasing frequency and severity of droughts in various parts of the world, agricultural productivity may suffer major setbacks. Among all the abiotic factors, drought is likely to have one of the most detrimental effects on soil organisms and plants. Drought is a major problem for crops because it limits the availability of water, and consequently nutrients which are crucial for plant growth and survival. This results in reduced crop yields, stunted growth, and even plant death, according to the severity and duration of the drought, the plant's developmental stage, and the plant's genetic background. The ability to withstand drought is a highly complex characteristic that is controlled by multiple genes, making it one of the most challenging attributes to study, classify, and improve. Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat (CRISPR) technology has opened a new frontier in crop enhancement, revolutionizing plant molecular breeding. The current review provides a general understanding of principles as well as optimization of CRISPR system, and presents applications on genetic enhancement of crops, specifically in terms of drought resistance and yield. Moreover, we discuss how innovative genome editing techniques can aid in the identification and modification of genes conferring drought tolerance.

Natural components as surface engineering agents for CRISPR delivery

This perspective article discusses the potential of using natural and environmentally friendly components as surface engineering agents for CRISPR delivery. Traditional delivery methods for CRISPR components have limitations and safety concerns, and surface engineering has emerged as a promising approach. The perspective provides an overview of current research, including the use of lipids, proteins, natural components (like leaf extracts), and polysaccharides to modify the surface of nanoparticles and improve delivery efficiency. The advantages of using natural components include biocompatibility, biodegradability, engineered functionality, cost-effectiveness, and environmental friendliness. The author also discusses the challenges and future perspective of this field, such as a better understanding of underlying mechanisms and optimization of delivery methods for different cell types and tissues, as well as the generation of novel inorganic nanomaterials, including MOF and MXene, for CRISPR delivery, and their synergistic potentials using leaf extracts and natural components. The use of natural components as surface engineering agents for CRISPR delivery has the potential to overcome the limitations of traditional delivery methods, eliminating the biological challenges, and represents a promising area of research.

The promise of CRISPR/Cas9 technology in diabetes mellitus therapy: How gene editing is revolutionizing diabetes research and treatment

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease, characterized by chronic hyperglycemia caused by an abnormality in insulin secretion or action. Millions of people across the world are affected by diabetes mellitus which has serious implications for their health. Over the past few decades, diabetes has become a major cause of mortality and morbidity across the world due to its rapid prevalence. Treatment for diabetes that focuses on insulin secretion and sensitization can lead to unwanted side effects and/or poor compliance, as well as treatment failure. A promising way to treat diabetes is through gene-editing technologies such as clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR/Cas9). However, issues such as efficiency and off-target effects have hindered the use of these technologies. In this review, we summarize what we know today about CRISPR/Cas9 technology's therapeutic potential for treating diabetes. We discuss how different strategies are employed, including cell-based therapies (such as stem cells and brown adipocytes), targeting critical genes involved in diabetes pathogenesis, and discussing the challenges and limitations associated with this technology. A novel and powerful treatment approach to diabetes and other diseases can be found with CRISPR/Cas9 technology, and further research should be carried out in this field.

Genetic modulation of the HTR2A gene reduces anxiety-related behavior in mice

The expanding field of precision gene editing using CRISPR/Cas9 has demonstrated its potential as a transformative technology in the treatment of various diseases. However, whether this genome-editing tool could be used to modify neural circuits in the central nervous system (CNS), which are implicated in complex behavioral traits, remains uncertain. In this study, we demonstrate the feasibility of noninvasive, intranasal delivery of adeno-associated virus serotype 9 (AAV9) vectors containing CRISPR/Cas9 cargo within the CNS resulting in modification of the HTR2A receptor gene. In vitro, exposure to primary mouse cortical neurons to AAV9 vectors targeting the HT2RA gene led to a concentration-dependent decrease in spontaneous electrical activity following multielectrode array (MEA) analysis. In vivo, at 5 weeks postintranasal delivery in mice, analysis of brain samples revealed single base pair deletions and nonsense mutations, leading to an 8.46-fold reduction in mRNA expression and a corresponding 68% decrease in the 5HT-2A receptor staining. Our findings also demonstrate a significant decrease in anxiety-like behavior in treated mice. This study constitutes the first successful demonstration of a noninvasive CRISPR/Cas9 delivery platform, capable of bypassing the blood-brain barrier and enabling modulation of neuronal 5HT-2A receptor pathways. The results of this study targeting the HTR2A gene provide a foundation for the development of innovative therapeutic strategies for a broad range of neurological disorders, including anxiety, depression, attentional deficits, and cognitive dysfunction.

Neuroethical implications of focused ultrasound for neuropsychiatric illness

BACKGROUND

MR-guided focused ultrasound is a promising intervention for treatment-resistant mental illness, and merits contextualized ethical exploration in relation to more extensive ethical literature regarding other psychosurgical and neuromodulation treatment options for this patient population. To our knowledge, this topic has not yet been explored in the published literature.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this paper is to review and discuss in detail the neuroethical implications of MR-guided focused ultrasound for neuropsychiatric illness as an emerging treatment modality.

METHODS

Due to the lack of published literature on the topic, the approach involved a detailed survey and review of technical and medical literature relevant to focused ultrasound and established ethical issues related to alternative treatment options for patients with treatment-resistant, severe and persistent mental illness. The manuscript is structured according to thematic and topical findings.

RESULTS

This technology has potential benefits for patients suffering with severe mental illness, compared with established alternatives. The balance of technical, neuroscientific and clinical considerations should inform ethical deliberations. The nascent literature base, nuances in legal classification and permissibility depending upon jurisdiction, influences of past ethical issues associated with alternative treatments, tone and framing in media articles, and complexity of clinical trials all influence ethical assessment and evaluations of multiple stakeholders. Recommendations for future research are provided based on these factors.

CONCLUSION

Salient ethical inquiry should be further explored by researchers, clinicians, and ethicists in a nuanced manner methodologically, one which is informed by past and present ethical issues related to alternative treatment options, broader psychiatric treatment frameworks, pragmatic implementation challenges, intercultural considerations, and patients' ethical concerns.

Orchard Management and Incorporation of Biochemical and Molecular Strategies for Improving Drought Tolerance in Fruit Tree Crops

Water scarcity is one of the greatest concerns for agronomy worldwide. In recent years, many water resources have been depleted due to multiple factors, especially mismanagement. Water resource shortages lead to cropland expansion, which likely influences climate change and affects global agriculture, especially horticultural crops. Fruit yield is the final aim in commercial orchards; however, drought can slow tree growth and/or decrease fruit yield and quality. It is therefore necessary to find approaches to solve this problem. The main objective of this review is to discuss the most recent horticultural, biochemical, and molecular strategies adopted to improve the response of temperate fruit crops to water stress. We also address the viability of cultivating fruit trees in dry areas and provide precise protection methods for planting fruit trees in arid lands. We review the main factors involved in planting fruit trees in dry areas, including plant material selection, regulated deficit irrigation (DI) strategies, rainwater harvesting (RWH), and anti-water stress materials. We also provide a detailed analysis of the molecular strategies developed to combat drought, such as Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat (CRISPR) through gene overexpression or gene silencing. Finally, we look at the molecular mechanisms associated with the contribution of the microbiome to improving plant responses to drought.

CRISPR Gene Therapy: A Promising One-Time Therapeutic Approach for Transfusion-Dependent β-Thalassemia—CRISPR-Cas9 Gene Editing for β-Thalassemia

β-Thalassemia is an inherited hematological disorder that results from genetic changes in the β-globin gene, leading to the reduced or absent synthesis of β-globin. For several decades, the only curative treatment option for β-thalassemia has been allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT). Nonetheless, rapid progress in genome modification technologies holds great potential for treating this disease and will soon change the current standard of care for β-thalassemia. For instance, the emergence of the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing platform has opened the door for precision gene editing and can serve as an effective molecular treatment for a multitude of genetic diseases. Investigational studies were carried out to treat β-thalassemia patients utilizing CRISPR-based CTX001 therapy targeting the fetal hemoglobin silencer BCL11A to restore γ-globin expression in place of deficient β-globin. The results of recently carried out clinical trials provide hope of CTX001 being a promising one-time therapeutic option to treat β-hemoglobinopathies. This review provides an insight into the key scientific steps that led to the development and application of novel CRISPR/Cas9–based gene therapies as a promising therapeutic platform for transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia (TDT). Despite the resulting ethical, moral, and social challenges, CRISPR provides an excellent treatment option against hemoglobin-associated genetic diseases.

Recent Advances and Therapeutic Strategies Using CRISPR Genome Editing Technique for the Treatment of Cancer

CRISPR genome editing technique has the potential to target cancer cells in a precise manner. The latest advancements have helped to address one of the prominent concerns about this strategy which is the off-target integrations observed with dsDNA and have resulted in more studies being carried out for potentially safer and more targeted gene therapy, so as to make it available for the clinical trials in order to effectively treat cancer. CRISPR screens offer great potential for the high throughput investigation of the gene functionality in various tumors. It extends its capability to identify the tumor growth essential genes, therapeutic resistant genes, and immunotherapeutic responses. CRISPR screens are mostly performed in in vitro models, but latest advancements focus on developing in vivo models to view cancer progression in animal models. It also allows the detection of factors responsible for tumorigenesis. In CRISPR screens key parameters are optimized in order to meet proficient gene targeting efficiencies. It also detects various molecular effectors required for gene regulation in different cancers, essential pathways which modulate cytotoxicity to immunotherapy in cancer cells, important genes which contribute to cancer cell survival in hypoxic states and modulate cancer long non-coding RNAs. The current review focuses on the recent developments in the therapeutic application of CRISPR technology for cancer therapy. Furthermore, the associated challenges and safety concerns along with the various strategies that can be implemented to overcome these drawbacks has been discussed.

CRISPR technology: A decade of genome editing is only the beginning

The advent of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) genome editing, coupled with advances in computing and imaging capabilities, has initiated a new era in which genetic diseases and individual disease susceptibilities are both predictable and actionable. Likewise, genes responsible for plant traits can be identified and altered quickly, transforming the pace of agricultural research and plant breeding. In this Review, we discuss the current state of CRISPR-mediated genetic manipulation in human cells, animals, and plants along with relevant successes and challenges and present a roadmap for the future of this technology.

Genome Editing in Human Gametes and Embryos: The Legal Dimension in Europe

To date, the legal aspects of the ongoing debate on the application of genome editing in human gametes and early embryos have attracted little attention. In Europe, this seems to have changed with a recent official position that clarifies the meaning of the relevant provision of the common legal instrument on Human Rights and Biomedicine (Oviedo Convention). This provision explicitly prohibits modifications to the genome of future persons and adoptes a precautionary stance with regard to genetic interventions in the human reproductive material. In this article, we examine relevant interpretative options, following the new official clarifications, focusing on the research/clinical application distinctions that characterize their approach. From this viewpoint, we propose an approach that favors basic research activities involving genome editing, even for exploring potential clinical applications under conditions of safety, which may justify a future legislative amendment. Furthermore, we explore the patenting issue, based on the current approach of European case law, and give reasons that may justify patent rights in this ethically sensitive area.

Advancements in therapeutics for inborn errors of metabolism

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To present new therapeutic modalities for inborn errors of metabolism that are in clinical trials or recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and to improve pediatricians' understanding of therapies their patients with inborn errors of metabolism receive.

RECENT FINDINGS

New therapies that move beyond the old standard modalities of recombinant human enzyme therapies, diet and medications have been recently approved by the US FDA to include nonhuman enzyme therapies, gene therapy and chaperone therapies.

SUMMARY

These new therapies offer more therapeutic options for individuals with inborn errors of metabolism. These new therapies have the potential to improve patient compliance and outcomes. Many other novel modalities are in the development pipeline, and are likely to transform the management of inborn errors of metabolism over the coming decade.

Using Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats gene editing to induce permanent expression of fetal hemoglobin in β-thalassemia and sickle cell disease: A comparative meta-analysis

β-hemoglobinopathies like sickle cell disease (SCD) and β-thalassemia are characterized by differing mutations in the hemoglobin subunit beta gene (HBB). These disorders vary in phenotypic presentation and severity, with more severe manifestations leading to transfusion dependence along with associated complications such as infection and iron overload. β-hemoglobinopathies symptoms rapidly worsen after birth as the levels of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) begin to decline. To reverse this decline, current treatment plans typically involve the use of pharmacological agents such as hydroxyurea to raise expression levels of HbF. However, these treatments only result in transient effects and must be consistently administered. Gene editing technologies such as CRISPR/Cas9 (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats- CRISPR associated protein) offer the opportunity to create novel treatments which can raise HbF expression with potential permanent effects. Two gene targets, B-cell lymphoma/leukemia 11A gene (BCL11A) and the promoter regions of gamma globin genes (HBG1/2), have been identified to significantly increase HbF protein expression. In order to differentiate the effectiveness of BCL11A and HBG1/2 editing, a meta-analysis was performed by first identifying 119 studies for inclusion based on the search terms terms “β-Thalassemia,” “beta-thal” “sickle cell disease,” “SCD,” and “CRISPR.” Following application of exclusion and inclusion criteria, we performed analysis on 8 peer-reviewed published studies from 2018 to 2021 were included in the study. Forest plots were generated using R (version 4.1.2). Primary comparative analysis shows HBG1/2 had a significantly (p < 0.01)greater impact on induction of HbF expression compared to BCL11A. This analysis leads us to conclude that HBG1/2 merits further investigation as a possible gene editing target for treatment of SCD and β-thalassemia.

Navigating ethical challenges in the development and translation of biomaterials research

Biomaterials--from implanted iron teeth in the second century to intraocular lenses, artificial joints, and stents today--have long been used clinically. Today, biomaterials researchers and biomedical engineers are pushing beyond these inert synthetic alternatives and incorporating complex multifunctional materials to control biological interactions and direct physiological processes. These advances are leading to novel strategies for targeted drug delivery, drug screening, diagnostics and imaging, gene therapy, tissue regeneration, and cell transplantation. While the field has survived ethical transgressions in the past, the rapidly expanding scope of biomaterials science, combined with the accelerating clinical translation of this diverse field calls for urgent attention to the complex and challenging ethical dilemmas these advances pose. This perspective responds to this call, examining the intersection of research ethics -- the sets of rules, principles and norms guiding responsible scientific inquiry -- and ongoing advances in biomaterials. While acknowledging the inherent tensions between certain ethical norms and the pressures of the modern scientific and engineering enterprise, we argue that the biomaterials community needs to proactively address ethical issues in the field by, for example, updating or adding specificity to codes of ethics, modifying training programs to highlight the importance of ethical research practices, and partnering with funding agencies and journals to adopt policies prioritizing the ethical conduct of biomaterials research. Together these actions can strengthen and support biomaterials as its advances are increasingly commercialized and impacting the health care system.

CRISPR-Cas technology a new era in genomic engineering

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CRISPR-Cas systems offer a flexible and easy-to-use molecular platform to precisely modify and control organisms' genomes in a variety of fields, from agricultural biotechnology to therapeutics.

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With CRISPR technology, crop genomes can be precisely edited in a shorter and more efficient approach compared to traditional breeding or classic mutagenesis.

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CRISPR-Cas system can be used to manage the fermentation process by addressing phage resistance, antimicrobial activity, and genome editing.

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CRISPR-Cas technology has opened up a new era in gene therapy and other therapeutic fields and given hope to thousands of patients with genetic diseases.

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Anti-CRISPR molecules are powerful tools for regulating the CRISPR-Cas systems.

The CRISPR-Cas systems have offered a flexible, easy-to-use platform to precisely modify and control the genomes of organisms in various fields, ranging from agricultural biotechnology to therapeutics. This system is extensively used in the study of infectious, progressive, and life-threatening genetic diseases for the improvement of quality and quantity of major crops and in the development of sustainable methods for the generation of biofuels. As CRISPR-Cas technology continues to evolve, it is becoming more controllable and precise with the addition of molecular regulators, which will provide benefits for everyone and save many lives. Studies on the constant growth of CRISPR technology are important due to its rapid development. In this paper, we present the current applications and progress of CRISPR-Cas genome editing systems in several fields of research, we further highlight the applications of anti-CRISPR molecules to regulate CRISPR-Cas gene editing systems, and we discuss ethical considerations in CRISPR-Cas applications.

CRISPR-Cas9: el debate bioético más allá de la línea germinal

El sistema CRISPR-Cas9 es una tecnología de edición genética que, además de ampliar las posibilidades en investigación científica, despierta reflexiones asociadas a la dignidad humana, el control biológico, la terapia y la mejora genética. Se revisaron las discusiones bioéticas asociadas a los desafíos y las repercusiones que suscita su aplicación. Como resultado, los cuestionamientos bioéticos tienden a problematizar la aplicación en organismos no humanos, en la investigación básica y en la línea somática y germinal humana. Para concluir, falta incrementar los niveles de seguridad y efectividad para que los beneficios superen los riesgos y, de esta forma, sea posible disminuir las preocupaciones bioéticas y aumentar la credibilidad en el uso de la técnica.

An Insight into Modern Targeted Genome-Editing Technologies with a Special Focus on CRISPR/Cas9 and its Applications

Genome-editing technology has enabled scientists to make changes in model organisms' DNA at the genomic level to get biotechnologically important products from them. Most commonly employed technologies for this purpose are transcription activator like effector nucleases (TALENs), homing-endonucleases or meganucleases, zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs), and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) associated protein 9 (Cas9). Among these tools, CRISPR/Cas9 is most preferred because it's easy to use, has a small mutation rate, has great effectiveness, low cost of development, and decreased rate of advancement. CRISPR/Cas9 has a lot of applications in plants, animals, humans, and microbes. It also has applications in many fields such as horticulture, cancer, food biotechnology, and targeted human genome treatments. CRISPR technology has shown great potential for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic to provide early and easy detection methods, possible treatment, and vaccine development. In the present review, genome-editing tools with their basic assembly and features have been discussed. Exceptional notice has been paid to CRISPR technology on basis of its structure and significant applications in humans, plants, animals, and microbes such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi. The review has also shed a little light on current CRISPR challenges and future perspectives.

Genetics Matters: Voyaging from the Past into the Future of Humanity and Sustainability

The understanding of how genetic information may be inherited through generations was established by Gregor Mendel in the 1860s when he developed the fundamental principles of inheritance. The science of genetics, however, began to flourish only during the mid-1940s when DNA was identified as the carrier of genetic information. The world has since then witnessed rapid development of genetic technologies, with the latest being genome-editing tools, which have revolutionized fields from medicine to agriculture. This review walks through the historical timeline of genetics research and deliberates how this discipline might furnish a sustainable future for humanity.

Auditing the Editor: A Review of Key Translational Issues in Epigenetic Editing

Currently, most advances in site-specific epigenetic editing for human use are concentrated in basic research, yet, there is considerable interest to translate this technology beyond the bench. This review highlights recent developments with epigenetic editing technology in comparison with the canonical CRISPR-Cas genome editing, as well as the epistemic and ethical considerations with preemptive translation of epigenetic editing into clinical or commercial use in humans. Key considerations in safety, equity, and access to epigenetic editing are highlighted, with a spotlight on the ethical, legal, and social issues of this technology in the context of global health equity.

Principles and Applications of CRISPR Toolkit in Virus Manipulation, Diagnosis, and Virus-Host Interactions

Viruses are one of the most important concerns for human health, and overcoming viral infections is a worldwide challenge. However, researchers have been trying to manipulate viral genomes to overcome various disorders, including cancer, for vaccine development purposes. CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) is becoming one of the most functional and widely used tools for RNA and DNA manipulation in multiple organisms. This approach has provided an unprecedented opportunity for creating simple, inexpensive, specific, targeted, accurate, and practical manipulations of viruses, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1), and vaccinia virus. Furthermore, this method can be used to make an effective and precise diagnosis of viral infections. Nevertheless, a valid and scientifically designed CRISPR system is critical to make more effective and accurate changes in viruses. In this review, we have focused on the best and the most effective ways to design sgRNA, gene knock-in(s), and gene knock-out(s) for virus-targeted manipulation. Furthermore, we have emphasized the application of CRISPR technology in virus diagnosis and in finding significant genes involved in virus-host interactions.

Strategies to overcome the main challenges of the use of CRISPR/Cas9 as a replacement for cancer therapy

CRISPR/Cas9 (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-associated protein 9) shows the opportunity to treat a diverse array of untreated various genetic and complicated disorders. Therapeutic genome editing processes that target disease-causing genes or mutant genes have been greatly accelerated in recent years as a consequence of improvements in sequence-specific nuclease technology. However, the therapeutic promise of genome editing has yet to be explored entirely, many challenges persist that increase the risk of further mutations. Here, we highlighted the main challenges facing CRISPR/Cas9-based treatments and proposed strategies to overcome these limitations, for further enhancing this revolutionary novel therapeutics to improve long-term treatment outcome human health.

A review of COVID-19: Treatment strategies and CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology approaches to the coronavirus disease

The new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has put the world on lockdown for the first time in decades. This has wreaked havoc on the global economy, put additional burden on local and global public health resources, and, most importantly, jeopardised human health. CRISPR stands for Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats, and the CRISPR associated (Cas) protein (CRISPR/Cas) was identified to have structures in E. coli. The most modern of these systems is CRISPR/Cas. Editing the genomes of plants and animals took several years and cost hundreds of thousands of dollars until the CRISPR approach was discovered in 2012. As a result, CRISPR/Cas has piqued the scientific community's attention, particularly for disease diagnosis and treatment, because it is faster, less expensive, and more precise than previous genome editing technologies. Data from gene mutations in specific patients gathered using CRISPR/Cas can aid in the identification of the best treatment strategy for each patient, as well as other research domains such as coronavirus replication in cell culture, such as SARS-CoV2. The implications of the most prevalent driver mutations, on the other hand, are often unknown, making treatment interpretation difficult. For detecting a wide range of target genes, the CRISPR/Cas categories provide highly sensitive and selective tools. Genome-wide association studies are a relatively new strategy to discovering genes involved in human disease when it comes to the next steps in genomic research. Furthermore, CRISPR/Cas provides a method for modifying non-coding portions of the genome, which will help advance whole genome libraries by speeding up the analysis of these poorly defined parts of the genome.

From Genotype to Phenotype: Polygenic Prediction of Complex Human Traits

Decoding the genome confers the capability to predict characteristics of the organism (phenotype) from DNA (genotype). We describe the present status and future prospects of genomic prediction of complex traits in humans. Some highly heritable complex phenotypes such as height and other quantitative traits can already be predicted with reasonable accuracy from DNA alone. For many diseases, including important common conditions such as coronary artery disease, breast cancer, type I and II diabetes, individuals with outlier polygenic scores (e.g., top few percent) have been shown to have 5 or even 10 times higher risk than average. Several psychiatric conditions such as schizophrenia and autism also fall into this category. We discuss related topics such as the genetic architecture of complex traits, sibling validation of polygenic scores, and applications to adult health, in vitro fertilization (embryo selection), and genetic engineering.

Plant-Based Biosensors for Detecting CRISPR-Mediated Genome Engineering

CRISPR/Cas has recently emerged as the most reliable system for genome engineering in various species. However, concerns about risks associated with the CRISPR/Cas technology are increasing on potential unintended DNA changes that might accidentally arise from CRISPR gene editing. Developing a system that can detect and report the presence of active CRISPR/Cas tools in biological systems is therefore very necessary. Here, we developed four real-time detection systems that can spontaneously indicate the presence of active CRISPR-Cas tools for genome editing and gene regulation including CRISPR/Cas9 nuclease, base editing, prime editing, and CRISPRa in plants. Using the fluorescence-based molecular biosensors, we demonstrated that the activities of CRISPR/Cas9 nuclease, base editing, prime editing, and CRISPRa can be effectively detected in transient expression via protoplast transformation and leaf infiltration (in Arabidopsis, poplar, and tobacco) and stable transformation in Arabidopsis.

Gene Therapy for Cardiovascular Disease: Basic Research and Clinical Prospects

In recent years, the vital role of genetic factors in human diseases have been widely recognized by scholars with the deepening of life science research, accompanied by the rapid development of gene-editing technology. In early years, scientists used homologous recombination technology to establish gene knock-out and gene knock-in animal models, and then appeared the second-generation gene-editing technology zinc-finger nucleases (ZFNs) and transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs) that relied on nucleic acid binding proteins and endonucleases and the third-generation gene-editing technology that functioned through protein-nucleic acids complexes-CRISPR/Cas9 system. This holds another promise for refractory diseases and genetic diseases. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) has always been the focus of clinical and basic research because of its high incidence and high disability rate, which seriously affects the long-term survival and quality of life of patients. Because some inherited cardiovascular diseases do not respond well to drug and surgical treatment, researchers are trying to use rapidly developing genetic techniques to develop initial attempts. However, significant obstacles to clinical application of gene therapy still exists, such as insufficient understanding of the nature of cardiovascular disease, limitations of genetic technology, or ethical concerns. This review mainly introduces the types and mechanisms of gene-editing techniques, ethical concerns of gene therapy, the application of gene therapy in atherosclerosis and inheritable cardiovascular diseases, in-stent restenosis, and delivering systems.

CRISPR-Cas9-based genetic engineering for crop improvement under drought stress

In several parts of the world, the prevalence and severity of drought are predicted to increase, creating considerable pressure on global agricultural yield. Among all abiotic stresses, drought is anticipated to produce the most substantial impact on soil biota and plants, along with complex environmental impacts on other ecological systems. Being sessile, plants tend to be the least resilient to drought-induced osmotic stress, which reduces nutrient accessibility due to soil heterogeneity and limits nutrient access to the root system. Drought tolerance is a complex quantitative trait regulated by multiple genes, and it is one of the most challenging characteristics to study and classify. Fortunately, the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) technology has paved the way as a new frontier in crop improvement, thereby revolutionizing plant breeding. The application of CRISPER systems has proven groundbreaking across numerous biological fields, particularly in biomedicine and agriculture. The present review highlights the principle and optimization of CRISPR systems and their implementation for crop improvement, particularly in terms of drought tolerance, yield, and domestication. Furthermore, we address the ways in which innovative genome editing tools can help recognize and modify novel genes coffering drought tolerance. We anticipate the establishment of effective strategies of crop yield improvement in water-limited regions through collaborative efforts in the near future.

Therapies for RYR1-Related Myopathies: Where We Stand and the Perspectives

RyR1-related myopathies are a family of genetic neuromuscular diseases due to mutations in the RYR1 gene. No treatment exists for any of these myopathies today, which could change in the coming years with the growing number of studies dedicated to the pre-clinical assessment of various approaches, from pharmacological to gene therapy strategies, using the numerous models developed up to now. In addition, the first clinical trials for these rare diseases have just been completed or are being launched. We review the most recent results obtained for the treatment of RyR1-related myopathies, and, in view of the progress in therapeutic development for other myopathies, we discuss the possible future therapeutic perspectives for RyR1-related myopathies.

In vivo delivery of CRISPR-Cas9 therapeutics: Progress and challenges

Within less than a decade since its inception, CRISPR-Cas9-based genome editing has been rapidly advanced to human clinical trials in multiple disease areas. Although it is highly anticipated that this revolutionary technology will bring novel therapeutic modalities to many diseases by precisely manipulating cellular DNA sequences, the low efficiency of in vivo delivery must be enhanced before its therapeutic potential can be fully realized. Here we discuss the most recent progress of in vivo delivery of CRISPR-Cas9 systems, highlight innovative viral and non-viral delivery technologies, emphasize outstanding delivery challenges, and provide the most updated perspectives.

Human iPSCs and Genome Editing Technologies for Precision Cardiovascular Tissue Engineering

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) originate from the reprogramming of adult somatic cells using four Yamanaka transcription factors. Since their discovery, the stem cell (SC) field achieved significant milestones and opened several gateways in the area of disease modeling, drug discovery, and regenerative medicine. In parallel, the emergence of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-associated protein 9 (CRISPR-Cas9) revolutionized the field of genome engineering, allowing the generation of genetically modified cell lines and achieving a precise genome recombination or random insertions/deletions, usefully translated for wider applications. Cardiovascular diseases represent a constantly increasing societal concern, with limited understanding of the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms. The ability of iPSCs to differentiate into multiple cell types combined with CRISPR-Cas9 technology could enable the systematic investigation of pathophysiological mechanisms or drug screening for potential therapeutics. Furthermore, these technologies can provide a cellular platform for cardiovascular tissue engineering (TE) approaches by modulating the expression or inhibition of targeted proteins, thereby creating the possibility to engineer new cell lines and/or fine-tune biomimetic scaffolds. This review will focus on the application of iPSCs, CRISPR-Cas9, and a combination thereof to the field of cardiovascular TE. In particular, the clinical translatability of such technologies will be discussed ranging from disease modeling to drug screening and TE applications.

Recent Progress of Machine Learning in Gene Therapy

With new developments in biomedical technology, it is now a viable therapeutic treatment to alter genes with techniques like CRISPR. At the same time, it is increasingly cheaper to do whole genome sequencing, resulting in rapid advancement in gene therapy and editing in precision medicine. Thus, understanding the current industry and academic applications of gene therapy provides an important backdrop to future scientific developments. Additionally, machine learning and artificial intelligence techniques allow for the reduction of time and money spent in the development of new gene therapy products and techniques. In this paper, we survey the current progress of gene therapy treatments for several diseases and explore machine learning applications in gene therapy. We also discuss the ethical implications of gene therapy and the use of machine learning in precision medicine. Machine learning and gene therapy are both topics gaining popularity in various publications, and we conclude that there is still room for continued research and application of machine learning techniques in the gene therapy field.

The Promise of CRISPR for Human Germline Editing and the Perils of "Playing God"

In the midst of the media and professional exuberance regarding the potential benefits of CRISPR technology, voices of criticism and caution have also arisen. One of the thorniest such cautions has been the common objection that CRISPR allows bioscientists to “play God,” particularly when it comes to potentially editing the human germline. Many in the biotechnology field are unsure how to address this concern. What does it mean, particularly for bioscientists who may not have any rational or rhetorical categories for God? In this article, I explore possible meanings of “playing God” and the arguments for how those meanings might be applied in the utilization of CRISPR technology for human germline editing. I then test the validity of those arguments and explore potential counterarguments. Finally, I discuss how members of the bioscience community might respond to the objection of “playing God” and contribute to that dialogue in ways that could impact the future of CRISPR development and applications.

The Challenge of CRISPR-Cas Toward Bioethics

Since determining the structure of the DNA double helix, the study of genes and genomes has revolutionized contemporary science; with the decoding of the human genome, new findings have been achieved, including the ability that humans have developed to modify genetic sequences in vitro. The discovery of gene modification mechanisms, such as the CRISPR-Cas system (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) and Cas (CRISPR associated). Derived from the latest discoveries in genetics, the idea that science has no limits has exploded. However, improvements in genetic engineering allowed access to new possibilities to save lives or generate new treatment options for diseases that are not treatable by using genes and their modification in the genome. With this greater knowledge, the immediate question is who governs the limits of genetic science? The first answer would be the intervention of a legislative branch, with adequate scientific advice, from which the logical answer, bioethics, should result. This term was introduced for the first time by Van Rensselaer Potter, who in 1970 combined the Greek words bios and ethos, Bio-Ethik, which determined the study of the morality of human behavior in science. The approach to this term was introduced to avoid the natural tension that results from the scientific technical development and the ethics of limits. Therefore, associating the use of biotechnology through the CRISPR-Cas system and the regulation through bioethics, aims to monitor the use of techniques and technology, with benefits for humanity, without altering fundamental rights, acting with moral and ethical principles.

New Insights into the Therapeutic Applications of CRISPR/Cas9 Genome Editing in Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent forms of cancer globally and is among the leading causes of death in women. Its heterogenic nature is a result of the involvement of numerous aberrant genes that contribute to the multi-step pathway of tumorigenesis. Despite the fact that several disease-causing mutations have been identified, therapy is often aimed at alleviating symptoms rather than rectifying the mutation in the DNA sequence. The Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9 is a groundbreaking tool that is being utilized for the identification and validation of genomic targets bearing tumorigenic potential. CRISPR/Cas9 supersedes its gene-editing predecessors through its unparalleled simplicity, efficiency and affordability. In this review, we provide an overview of the CRISPR/Cas9 mechanism and discuss genes that were edited using this system for the treatment of breast cancer. In addition, we shed light on the delivery methods—both viral and non-viral—that may be used to deliver the system and the barriers associated with each. Overall, the present review provides new insights into the potential therapeutic applications of CRISPR/Cas9 for the advancement of breast cancer treatment.

Targeted-antibacterial-plasmids (TAPs) combining conjugation and CRISPR/Cas systems achieve strain-specific antibacterial activity

The global emergence of drug-resistant bacteria leads to the loss of efficacy of our antibiotics arsenal and severely limits the success of currently available treatments. Here, we developed an innovative strategy based on targeted-antibacterial-plasmids (TAPs) that use bacterial conjugation to deliver CRISPR/Cas systems exerting a strain-specific antibacterial activity. TAPs are highly versatile as they can be directed against any specific genomic or plasmid DNA using the custom algorithm (CSTB) that identifies appropriate targeting spacer sequences. We demonstrate the ability of TAPs to induce strain-selective killing by introducing lethal double strand breaks (DSBs) into the targeted genomes. TAPs directed against a plasmid-born carbapenem resistance gene efficiently resensitise the strain to the drug. This work represents an essential step toward the development of an alternative to antibiotic treatments, which could be used for in situ microbiota modification to eradicate targeted resistant and/or pathogenic bacteria without affecting other non-targeted bacterial species.

Attitudes of Indonesian Medical Doctors and Medical Students Toward Genome Editing

Purpose

This study aimed to measure the attitudes of Indonesian medical doctors and students toward new technology in genome editing.

Materials and Methods

Online questionnaires regarding attitudes toward genome editing on health and non-health conditions, both in somatic cells and embryo, were distributed through researcher networks, email and social media specific to medical doctors and students. The data of 1055 valid questionnaires were processed; descriptive and association analyses between sociodemographic factors and attitudes toward genome editing were performed. Email in-depth interview was performed to explore the respondents’ answers.

Results

The results showed that Indonesian medical doctors’ and students’ knowledge of genome editing was limited and correlated with gender, place of residence, religion, education, marital status, childbearing and experience abroad. More than half of respondents supported genome editing for the treatment of fatal and debilitating diseases both in somatic cells and embryos, implying their consent to edited gene inheritance. However, this approval decreased when applied to non-health-related aspects, such as physical appearance, intelligence and strength. Factors affecting their attitudes toward genome editing included their status as medical doctors or students, gender, age, education, religion, economic status and place of residence.

Conclusion

Increasing knowledge and awareness of Indonesian medical doctors and students regarding genome editing is important. Even though its application in health-related matter was supported by a majority of the respondents, discussion from ethical and religious perspectives is necessary to ensure the acceptance.