1. CRISPR

Question 1

what is CRISPR

Answer 1

allows scientists to precisely edit the DNA of organisms by making targeted changes to their genetic code.

Question 2

what was the “traditional” genome editing

Answer 2

• cut the target
• add modification
• new genomic sequence

Question 3

what are some applications of gene editing

Answer 3

Agriculture: gene editing can be used to design crops with desirable traits

Biomedicine: can treat genetic disorders by correcting gene causing mutations

Drug discovery and development

Livestock improvement

Biofuel production

Question 4

Zinc finger Nucleases: what is it

Answer 4

Zinc Finger Nucleases (ZFNs) are like tiny scissors that scientists use to cut specific parts of DNA.

By cutting the DNA at a specific spot, scientists can then make changes to the DNA sequence.

Question 5

when are zinc Finger Nucleases used

Answer 5

This technology was used before CRISPR came along and is still used in some cases where very precise editing is needed

Question 5

what are the two parts of Zinc Finger Nucleases

Answer 5

Zinc Finger Domains: They are designed to recognize and attach to specific sequences of DNA.

Nuclease Domain: cuts the DNA at the specific location

Question 6

TALE Nucleases

Answer 6

DNA-cutting protein used in genome editing
create targeted double-stranded breaks in DNA

TALEs recognize a specific sequence of DNA, nucleases cut the DNA in a specific location allowing researchers to edit the genetic code

Question 7

what does CRISPR stand for

Answer 7

clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats

Question 8

bacterial immunity

Answer 8

the bodies ability to defend itself again bacterial infections

Question 9

immunization

Answer 9

process by which a person is made immune or resistant to an infectious disease by administering a vaccine

Question 10

CRISPR targeting

Answer 10

Cas9 is guided to the desired location by gRNA

Cas9 then makes targeted cuts in the DNA at specific locations

once the DNA is cut the cell’s natural repair mechanisms come into play

Question 11

protein based genome editing

Answer 11

protein and DNA interface is very complex

construction is relatively expensive and complicated

Question 12

different approaches of exploiting eukaryotic recombination systems to edit genomic DNA

Answer 12

• homology-directed repair
• non- homologous end joining

Question 13

explain non-homologous end joining

Answer 13

a repair pathway for DNA double strand breaks through direct ligation of the break end without using a homologous template
this is an error prone process and often causes small insertions and deletions

Question 14

homology directed repair

Answer 14

template directed repair of DNA strand bases using homologous DNA sequences

Question 15

synthetic gene circuits

Answer 15

gRNAs can regulate other gRNAs through conventional and synthetic promoters

Question 16

gRNAs in context of CRISPR-Cas 9 gene editing

Answer 16

guide RNAs are short RNA molecules that serve as guides to direct the Cas9 enzyme to the desired location in the genome

Question 17

Cas9

Answer 17

acts as a molecular scissors that can cut the DNA at the target site specified by the gRNA

Question 18

alternatives to Cas9

Answer 18

Cpf1: has “sticky ends”
in contrast to Cas9 which has blunt ended double strand breaks

Question 19

CRISPR and protecting babies

Answer 19

CRISPR can make genetic modifications in embryos or gametes to prevent the transmission of genetic diseases from patients to their children.

CRISPR can detect abnormalities in fetal DNA obtained from maternal blood samples allowing for early detection and management of genetic conditions during pregnancy