Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 15, 2026

09:51
Enhanced Genome Editing with Cas9 Ribonucleoprotein in Diverse Cells and Organisms
Published on: May 25, 2018
35.5K
Gene and RNA Editing: Revolutionary Approaches to Treating Diseases
Jia-Mei Li1,2, Jie Huang3, Yan Liao4
1Department of Neurology, Changhai Hospital Naval Medical University Shanghai China.
Medcomm
|October 15, 2025
Summary
Gene editing (CRISPR) and RNA editing (ADAR, CRISPR-Cas13) offer precise genetic and reversible RNA modification for treating diseases like Alzheimer's and cancer. Challenges in delivery and safety remain for clinical translation.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Biotechnology
- Genetics
Background:
- Gene editing and RNA editing are transformative technologies for precise genetic manipulation.
- CRISPR/Cas systems offer efficient DNA editing, while ADAR and CRISPR-Cas13 enable reversible RNA editing.
- Both technologies hold significant promise for advancing modern medicine and disease treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the molecular mechanisms and evolution of gene and RNA editing tools.
- To explore their applications in treating nervous system disorders, immune diseases, and cancers.
- To compare technical attributes, discuss ethical considerations, and highlight synergies between gene and RNA editing.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of molecular mechanisms and technological evolution.
- Focus on applications in neurological, immunological, and oncological diseases.
- Comparative analysis of technical attributes, ethical issues, and synergistic potential.
Main Results:
- CRISPR/Cas systems provide efficient, precise, and cost-effective gene editing.
- RNA editing tools (ADAR, CRISPR-Cas13) offer reversible regulation without genomic integration.
- Delivery efficiency, tissue specificity, and long-term safety are key challenges for clinical translation.
Conclusions:
- Gene and RNA editing technologies are advancing precision medicine.
- Further research is needed to overcome delivery and safety challenges for clinical translation.
- Synergies between gene and RNA editing can reshape disease diagnosis, prevention, and treatment paradigms.
Related Concept Videos
RNA Editing
9.8K
RNA editing is a post-transcriptional modification where a precursor mRNA (pre-mRNA) nucleotide sequence is changed by base insertion, deletion, or modification. The extent of RNA editing varies from a few hundred bases, in mitochondrial DNA of trypanosomes, to a just single base, in nuclear genes of mammals. Even a single base change in the pre-mRNA can convert a codon for one amino acid into the codon for another amino acid or a stop codon. This type of re-coding can significantly affect the...
9.8K
CRISPR
57.5K
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...
57.5K
Experimental RNAi
7.3K
RNA interference (RNAi) is a cellular mechanism that inhibits gene expression by suppressing its transcription or activating the RNA degradation process. The mechanism was discovered by Andrew Fire and Craig Mello in 1998 in plants. Today, it is observed in almost all eukaryotes, including protozoa, flies, nematodes, insects, parasites, and mammals. This precise cellular mechanism of gene silencing has been developed into a technique that provides an efficient way to identify and determine the...
7.3K
What is Genetic Engineering?
79.6K
Overview
79.6K
Gene Therapy
27.3K
Gene therapy is a technique where a gene is inserted into a person’s cells to prevent or treat a serious disease. The added gene may be a healthy version of the gene that is mutated in the patient, or it could be a different gene that inactivates or compensates for the patient’s disease-causing gene. For example, in patients with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) due to a mutation in the gene for the enzyme adenosine deaminase, a functioning version of the gene can be...
27.3K
CRISPR/Cas9 Genome Editing
1.7K
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...
1.7K

