Question

8) Although the CRISPR/Cas9 system has been widely used to edit genomes, as discussed in class this technology has been repurposed for numerous other applications. Briefly describe how this technology is being used to activate gene expression.

Answer 1

The typical CRISPR/Cas9 system is used to edit the genomes and regulate the gene expression. In this method small RNA molecules called guide RNAs bind to a specific DNA sequence in the genome. Then the Cas9 enzyme is recruited to that tagged place to make a cut in the DNA double helix. The cut alters the coding region of the DNA and thus regulates the gene expression.

But in a modified version of CRISPR/Cas9, the technique is modified in such a way that the CRISPR sequence could recognise the DNA sequence but don't cut them. In this technique the guide RNA tag the sequence of a particular gene. And the Cas9 carries a genetically engineered molecular switch that turns on target gene thus leads to the activation of gene expression.

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