[Genome engineering using the CRISPR-Cas9 system and applications in cancer research]

Today, we have to investigate the effects of selected mutations and molecular alterations - this is made possible by the new genome editing technologies. In these, either a section of the DNA is deleted or moved, or a targeted mutation is introduced into the cell. Here, we describe in detail the CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing method. The technology is based on a feature used by bacteria to combat recurrent viral infections. At present, commencing a set of modifications, the method is functional and can be applied in eukaryotic cells as well. The method has three major steps: first, the system has to be carefully designed and constructed, then the construct has to be introduced into the target cells by transfection, and finally, the achieved effect has to be functionally validated. The reliability of the method enables multiple applications in oncology, including the detailed and efficient investigation of oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, chromosomal translocations and other molecular changes. At the moment, available CRISPR-Cas9 protocols enable both in vitro and in vivo application. All these already made CRISPR-Cas9 one of the basic methods required for future-proof oncology research.