CRISPR/Cas9, a powerful tool to target human herpesviruses

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Molecular Biology
• Gene Editing

Background:

• Herpesviruses infect over 90% of adults, establishing lifelong latent infections.
• Latent herpesviruses cause diseases like cold sores, shingles, and cancers.
• Current treatments are ineffective against latent herpesviruses, failing to clear infections.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review CRISPR/Cas9 applications in herpesvirus research.
• To discuss the therapeutic potential of CRISPR/Cas9 for herpesvirus infections.

Main Methods:

• Review of recent literature on CRISPR/Cas9 system applications.
• Analysis of CRISPR/Cas9's potential for targeting productive and latent herpesviruses.

Main Results:

• CRISPR/Cas9 facilitates herpesvirus research.
• CRISPR/Cas9 demonstrates potential for treating herpesvirus infections.

Conclusions:

• CRISPR/Cas9 offers a novel approach to combatting herpesviruses.
• Genome engineering may provide a cure for previously incurable herpesvirus infections.