Emerging frontiers in genome editing: From CRISPR to next-generation technologies

Genome editing has revolutionized molecular biology. It offers precise modification of genetic material across diverse organisms. This review outlines the evolution of genome editing technologies from homologous recombination to advanced Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)-associated protein 9 (CRISPR-9) based systems that now dominate the field. Early methods, such as Zinc Finger Nucleases (ZFNs) and Transcription Activator-Like Effector Nucleases (TALENs), established the foundation for site-specific DNA cleavage. However, they were limited by complexity and cost. The advent of the CRISPR-Cas systems, particularly CRISPR-Cas9, transformed the landscape due to their simplicity, high efficiency, and adaptability. Variants such as CRISPR-Cas12a, base editors, and prime editors enhanced editing precision. They enable single-nucleotide modifications and targeted insertions without double-strand breaks. Emerging tools such as CRISPR-associated transposases, recombinase fusions, and RNA-targeting Cas13 enzymes expand the scope of manipulation beyond DNA to RNA. At the same time, epigenome editing, and gene drives present new therapeutic and ecological applications. Efficient delivery systems, both viral (Adeno-Associated Virus (AAV), lentivirus, adenovirus) and non-viral (lipid nanoparticles, gold nanoparticles, DNA nano clews), remain critical for clinical translation. Future directions emphasize artificial intelligence-guided design, retroelement-based integration, and novel biomimetic delivery vehicles to overcome current efficiency and safety barriers. These innovations can help overcome current efficiency and safety barriers. Together, they are propelling genome editing toward precise, programmable, and ethically responsible therapeutic applications. Despite unresolved challenges involving off-target effects, immunogenicity, and germline ethics, genome editing redefines biomedical research, drug development, and disease correction. CRISPR-derived technologies now stand at the forefront of next-generation genetic medicine.