Developments in CRISPR-Cas

In the preceding years, CRISPR-Cas systems have been extensively studied and substantially modified, expanding the range of possible genome modifications through various modes of action, and improving target specificity. This section strives to provide an overview of the most important advancements in CRISPR-Cas9 and CRISPR-Cas12a systems. You can view the following sub-sections in any order.

Paired nickases

CRISPR interference and CRISPR activation

Base editing

Multiplex genome editing




Image sources

Paired nickases: Mary Gearing, (2018), Cleavage capabilities of Cas9 nickases https://blog.addgene.org/crispr-101-cas9-nickase-design-and-homology-directed-repair [Accessed 31 May 2020].

CRISPR interference and CRISPR activation: Gebre, Makda & Nomburg, Jason & Gewurz, Benjamin. (2018). CRISPR–Cas9 Genetic Analysis of Virus–Host Interactions. Viruses. 10. 55. 10.3390/v10020055.

Base editing: G. Brett Robb. 2019. Genome Editing with CRISPR‐Cas: An Overview. Current Protocols Vol. 19, Issue 1, https://doi.org/10.1002/cpet.36

Multiplex genome editing: Campa, C.C., Weisbach, N.R., Santinha, A.J. et al. Multiplexed genome engineering by Cas12a and CRISPR arrays encoded on single transcripts. Nat Methods 16, 887–893 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41592-019-0508-6