Synthetic Biology and Tissue Engineering

Gene editing (or genome editing) is the insertion, deletion or replacement of DNA at a specific site in the genome of an organism or cell. Gene editing is derived from molecular biology and is widely used in gene circuits too. It is usually achieved in the lab using engineered nucleases also known as molecular scissors. Targeted alterations may be accomplished in different ways, including through the use of new and emerging techniques such as the CRISPR-Cas9 system. ‘Genome editing’ also includes making alterations to non-coding regions of genomes and to epi genomes (in order to modify whether all or part of the genome is active or silent, and to ‘tune’ the level of activity).

 

Techniques of genome editing: