Overview of CRISPR-Cas Mediated Genome Engineering

Abstract

Genetic diseases are prevailing in 3-5% of new-born worldwide and estimated to cause around 50% of child deaths. The development of efficient and regulated system for customizing genome modifications to treat such disorders has been the zone of interest. Over time, different editing techniques have emerged based on programmable nucleases such as ZFN or TALENS but among all, CRISPR-Cas has significantly progressed as alteration tool from bench to clinical practices. CRISPR-Cas is an immune system discovered in prokaryotes that enables organism to recognize and destroy any invading genetic elements. This functional property of CRISPR has opened up plethora of applications across different disciplines such as diagnostics, agriculture and therapeutics. So here, the review attempt to discuss origin, mechanisms pertinent to CRISPR and applications along with challenges concerning them.