CRISPR Review

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What is CRISPR?

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CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) is a technology used for editing genomes, allowing researchers to alter DNA sequences and modify gene function.

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What is the role of the Cas9 enzyme in CRISPR?

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Cas9 is an endonuclease that cuts the target DNA at a specific location, allowing for the addition or removal of genetic material.

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What is guide RNA (gRNA) in the CRISPR-Cas9 system?

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Guide RNA is a short synthetic RNA that is designed to be complementary to a specific DNA sequence, guiding the Cas9 enzyme to the correct part of the genome.

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What is the function of Cas1 and Cas2 proteins?

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Cas1 and Cas2 are involved in the adaptation phase of the CRISPR immune response, where they integrate foreign DNA into the CRISPR array.

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What is the significance of the PAM sequence in CRISPR?

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The Protospacer Adjacent Motif (PAM) is a short DNA sequence that is essential for Cas9 to recognize and bind to the target DNA.

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What are endonucleases?

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Endonucleases are enzymes that cut DNA strands at specific sites, which is a crucial function in the CRISPR-Cas9 system.

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How does CRISPR technology differ from traditional genetic modification methods?

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CRISPR technology allows for precise editing of specific genes, whereas traditional methods often involve random insertion of genes.

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What are the potential applications of CRISPR technology?

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CRISPR technology has potential applications in medicine (gene therapy), agriculture (genetically modified crops), and biological research.

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What is the process of gene editing using CRISPR-Cas9?

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The process involves designing gRNA to target a specific DNA sequence, introducing the gRNA and Cas9 into the cell, and allowing Cas9 to cut the DNA at the target site.

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What ethical considerations are associated with CRISPR technology?

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Ethical considerations include the potential for unintended consequences in gene editing, the implications of germline editing, and concerns about 'designer babies'.