Novel CRISPR–Cas Systems: An Updated Review of the Current Achievements, Applications, and Future Research Perspectives

Abstract

According to Darwin’s theory, endless evolution leads to a revolution. One such example is the Clustered Regularly Interspaced Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)–Cas system, an adaptive immunity system in most archaea and many bacteria. Gene editing technology possesses a crucial potential to dramatically impact miscellaneous areas of life, and CRISPR–Cas represents the most suitable strategy. The system has ignited a revolution in the field of genetic engineering. The ease, precision, affordability of this system is akin to a Midas touch for researchers editing genomes. Undoubtedly, the applications of this system are endless. The CRISPR–Cas system is extensively employed in the treatment of infectious and genetic diseases, in metabolic disorders, in curing cancer, in developing sustainable methods for fuel production and chemicals, in improving the quality and quantity of food crops, and thus in catering to global food demands. Future applications of CRISPR–Cas will provide benefits for everyone and will save countless lives. The technology is evolving rapidly; therefore, an overview of continuous improvement is important. In this review, we aim to elucidate the current state of the CRISPR–Cas revolution in a tailor-made format from its discovery to exciting breakthroughs at the application level and further upcoming trends related to opportunities and challenges including ethical concerns.

The Challenge of CRISPR-Cas Toward Bioethics

“…However, the area of application of this system is enormous, agriculture should benefit from the CRISPR Cas helping to improve food and increasing availability to combat famine and food shortages. In the biotechnology industry, the CRISPR Cas suggests being valuable for the implementation or modification of metabolic routes, this would increase the yields in obtaining the product, optimizing the processes for obtaining products of biological origin (Nidhi et al, 2021).…”

“…Together, bioethics and legal law will have to work together to regulate the use of patient information, protecting fundamental rights, such as health. Considering that these techniques must be carefully evaluated and observed, not to prohibit them, but to handle them with care, because it is known that with this technique some diseases could be eradicated (Nidhi et al, 2021).…”

Should we still worry about the safety of GMO foods? Why and why not? A review

“…More detailed reports on the future prospects of CRISPR cas‐9 techniques were recently presented by Nidhi et al. ( 2021 ). More accurate applications of the new GE techniques, including CRISPR, are expected to better enhance the nutrition and health of people in the years to come.…”

Exosome/Liposome-like Nanoparticles: New Carriers for CRISPR Genome Editing in Plants

“…Genetic engineering of plants is at the core of environmental sustainability efforts, natural product synthesis for pharmaceuticals, and agricultural crop engineering and can help meet the needs of the growing human population under changing global climatic conditions [ 1 , 2 ]. Genetic transformation allows the transfer of a foreign gene of interest (a transgene), encoding a trait into the plant cell and introduce the desired trait into a crop.…”