Scientists have discovered a new gene-editing tool derived from bacteria that could potentially remodel large sections of the human genome. This tool, discovered by Patrick Hsu, Assistant Professor in the Department of Bioengineering, and his team at the University of California, Berkeley, involves an enzyme using an RNA bridge to insert donor DNA into a target sequence. This method, which stems from a transposable element, allows for more precise and extensive genome editing than CRISPR-Cas9. While CRISPR relies on the host cell’s repair machinery and can result in errors, this new recombinase-based mechanism completes edits in a single step, offering unprecedented control over genome manipulation. The discovery, demonstrated in bacteria, aims next to be applied to mammalian cells, with the potential to enable precise, large-scale genome modifications.
July 18, 2024