CRISPR
/ˈkrɪspə
/noun Biochemistry
1A segment of DNA containing short repetitions of base sequences, involved in the defence mechanisms of prokaryotic organisms to viruses.
- CRISPR sequences encode RNAs that can recognize specific target sequences in a genome, at which base pairs can be cut or added. They act in a complex with a specific protein that functions like a pair of molecular scissors, with which they are used as a tool in genetic engineering.
- Researchers detail in 'H-NS-mediated repression of CRISPR-based immunity in Escherichia coli K12 can be relieved by the transcription activator LeuO,' new data in Escherichia coli.
- The genome of P. carbinolicus contains clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) separated by unique spacer sequences.
1.1A genetic engineering tool that uses a CRISPR sequence of DNA and its associated protein to edit the base pairs of a gene: using the genome editing tool known as CRISPR, researchers were able to selectively silence two genes in human papilloma virus...
- The CRISPR Design Tool was developed by the Feng Zhang laboratory at MIT.
- The CRISPR/Cas9 design algorithm at this site allows users to input DNA sequence.
- This limited the CRISPR system to its minimal functional components and thus illuminated its potential as a powerful genome editing tool.
Origin
Early 21st century: short for clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat.