Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 6, 2025
08:23
CIRCLE-Seq for Interrogation of Off-Target Gene Editing
Published on: November 1, 2024
853
DNA Origami-Based Single-Molecule CRISPR Machines for Spatially Resolved Searching
Yaya Hao1, Mingqiang Li1, Qian Zhang1
1School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules and National Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China.
Angewandte Chemie (International Ed. in English)
|June 23, 2022
Summary
We developed a DNA origami-based CRISPR molecular machine for precise DNA cleavage. This system enables spatially resolved searching and cleavage, advancing synthetic biology and molecular diagnostics.
Area of Science:
- Synthetic Biology
- Molecular Machines
- CRISPR Technology
Background:
- CRISPR-Cas9 is being repurposed for synthetic molecular information processing.
- Current CRISPR-Cas9 systems face challenges in spatial regulation due to freely diffusing components.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a DNA origami-based single-molecule CRISPR machine.
- To enable spatially resolved DNA cleavage using controlled searching modes.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing DNA origami for nanoscale spatial control.
- Implementing CRISPR-Cas9 with single-molecule precision.
- Developing free and localized searching modes for DNA cleavage.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated a DNA origami-based CRISPR machine with nanoscale accuracy.
- Showcased spatially resolved DNA cleavage in both free and localized searching modes.
- Observed distance-dependent decay in free searching and confined activity in localized mode.
Conclusions:
- Expanded the functionality of CRISPR molecular machines.
- Laid foundations for integrated molecular circuits.
- Enabled potential for high-throughput nucleic acid detection.
Related Concept Videos
01:59CRISPR
52.8K
Genome editing technologies allow scientists to modify an organism’s DNA via the addition, removal, or rearrangement of genetic material at specific genomic locations. These types of techniques could potentially be used to cure genetic disorders such as hemophilia and sickle cell anemia. One popular and widely used DNA-editing research tool that could lead to safe and effective cures for genetic disorders is the CRISPR-Cas9 system. CRISPR-Cas9 stands for Clustered Regularly Interspaced...
52.8K
01:28CRISPR/Cas9 Genome Editing
204
The CRISPR-Cas system serves as a bacterial defense mechanism against invading genetic elements such as viruses and plasmids, forming the foundation for its adaptation as a powerful genome-editing tool. Originally discovered in prokaryotes, this system has been repurposed to revolutionize genetic engineering across a wide range of organisms, including plants, animals, and humans. The core component, Cas9, is an endonuclease derived from Streptococcus pyogenes, capable of introducing...
204
02:53Conservative Site-specific Recombination and Phase Variation
6.1K
Because the DNA segments are cut and reorganized in a direction-specific manner, site-specific recombination has emerged as an efficient genetic engineering technique. Flippase and Cyclization recombinases or Flp and Cre, respectively, are two members of the tyrosine recombinase family derived from bacteriophages, that are used to mediate site-specific DNA insertions, deletions, and targeted expression of proteins in mammalian cell lines.
The recognition sites for Cre recombinase called LoxP...
The recognition sites for Cre recombinase called LoxP...
6.1K
02:31Homologous Recombination
51.2K
The basic reaction of homologous recombination (HR) involves two chromatids that contain DNA sequences sharing a significant stretch of identity. One of these sequences uses a strand from another as a template to synthesize DNA in an enzyme-catalyzed reaction. The final product is a novel amalgamation of the two substrates. To ensure an accurate recombination of sequences, HR is restricted to the S and G2 phases of the cell cycle. At these stages, the DNA has been replicated already and the...
51.2K
02:53CRISPR and crRNAs
17.3K
Bacteria and archaea are susceptible to viral infections just like eukaryotes; therefore, they have developed a unique adaptive immune system to protect themselves. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats and CRISPR-associated proteins (CRISPR-Cas) are present in more than 45% of known bacteria and 90% of known archaea.
The CRISPR-Cas system stores a copy of foreign DNA in the host genome and uses it to identify the foreign DNA upon reinfection. CRISPR-Cas has three different...
The CRISPR-Cas system stores a copy of foreign DNA in the host genome and uses it to identify the foreign DNA upon reinfection. CRISPR-Cas has three different...
17.3K