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Related Concept Videos

CRISPR and crRNAs02:53

CRISPR and crRNAs

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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.
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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...
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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...
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CRISPR stands for Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats is a adaptive immune system found in bacteria and archaea that protects against viral infections. This system enables prokaryotic cells to identify, remember, and neutralize foreign genetic elements, primarily bacteriophages, by storing fragments of the invader’s DNA as a genetic memory.The CRISPR immune response begins during an initial infection. Cas (CRISPR-associated) proteins play a central role in this...
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Microbial communities are dynamic environments where cell lysis releases free DNA into the surroundings. Other cells can take up this extracellular DNA through a process known as transformation.When a cell incorporates this foreign DNA into its genome, resulting in genetic modification, the process is known as transformation. Cells capable of this process are termed competent. Competence can be natural, as observed in certain bacteria and archaea, or artificially induced in the...
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Associate toxin-antitoxin with CRISPR-Cas to harness (ATTACH) engineered microbes.

Huiwei Zhao1, Tao Zhou1,2, Ming Zhang3,4

  • 1Department of Microbial Physiological & Metabolic Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Diversity and Innovative Utilization, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.

Nucleic Acids Research
|March 12, 2026
PubMed
Summary

We developed ATTACH, a novel microbial kill switch combining CRISPR-Cas and toxin-antitoxin systems. This engineered system enhances genetic stability and provides robust biocontainment for microbes.

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Area of Science:

  • Synthetic Biology
  • Microbial Engineering
  • Genetic Engineering

Background:

  • Robust biocontainment is crucial for safe engineered microbe applications.
  • Current biocontainment methods face challenges with genetic instability and complex construction.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a stable and stringent CRISPR-Cas-based kill switch for engineered microbes.
  • To improve biocontainment strategies using a novel toxin-antitoxin association.

Main Methods:

  • Developed the ATTACH system, integrating a CRISPR-repressed toxin-antitoxin (CreTA) module with CRISPR-Cas.
  • Engineered inducible promoters for Cas3 nuclease and guide RNA expression.
  • Created a single-plasmid, antibiotic-independent ATTACH device.

Main Results:

  • The ATTACH system demonstrated improved genetic stability and stringency of the suicidal program.
  • Achieved robust and stringent containment of a microbial chassis in a murine gut model.
  • Observed negligible impacts on microbial growth and product formation (lycopene) during fermentation.

Conclusions:

  • The CreTA module effectively stabilizes CRISPR-based kill switches.
  • ATTACH represents a portable and reliable biocontainment tool for engineered microbes.
  • This approach advances the safety and applicability of synthetic biology.