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Updated: Nov 13, 2025

Genome Editing in Mammalian Cell Lines using CRISPR-Cas
Published on: April 11, 2019
Lb2Cas12a and its engineered variants mediate genome editing in human cells
Xiaoyu Liu1, Li Lin1, Lianchao Tang1
1School of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Eye Hospital, State Key Laboratory and Key Laboratory of Vision Science, Ministry of Health and Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.
Researchers discovered Lb2Cas12a, a novel Cas12a enzyme with enhanced genome editing capabilities in human cells. This new tool offers greater PAM flexibility and expanded target selection for precision gene editing applications.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Cas12a nucleases are powerful tools for genome engineering.
- Current Cas12a systems face limitations in target selection and efficiency for human genome editing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize novel Cas12a nucleases with improved genome editing features.
- To expand the utility of Cas12a systems for precise human genome manipulation.
Main Methods:
- Screening of candidate Cas12a nucleases.
- Assessing genome editing activity in human cells.
- Engineering of Lb2Cas12a variants (Lb2Cas12a-RVR and Lb2Cas12a-RR).
Main Results:
- Lb2Cas12a demonstrates genome editing activity in human cells.
- Lb2Cas12a exhibits broader PAM (5'-BYYV-3') recognition flexibility.
- Engineered variants significantly expand the target-selection spectrum for genome editing.
Conclusions:
- Lb2Cas12a represents a valuable new tool for human genome editing.
- The engineered Lb2Cas12a variants enhance precision and expand targeting capabilities.
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