Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 6, 2026
07:56
Genome Editing in Mammalian Cell Lines using CRISPR-Cas
Published on: April 11, 2019
Exploring the emerging role of CRISPR-Cas systems in probiotic development
Abrar Hussain1, Naheed Mojgani2, Maria Fareed Siddiqui3
1Third World Center for Science and Technology, H.E.J Research Institute of Chemistry, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), University of Karachi, Karachi 75270, Pakistan.
Engineering Microbiology
|July 23, 2026
Summary
Genetic engineering with the CRISPR-Cas system enhances beneficial microbes, known as probiotics. This technology improves probiotic functions for advanced applications in medicine and agriculture.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Genetic Engineering
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Probiotics are live microorganisms conferring health benefits, with growing interest in their applications.
- Genetic modification of microbes, particularly probiotics, is a key research area.
- The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)-Cas system is a powerful genetic engineering tool.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the application of the CRISPR-Cas system for enhancing probiotic functionalities.
- To investigate how CRISPR-Cas mediated genome alteration can improve probiotic properties.
- To highlight the potential of CRISPR-engineered probiotics as next-generation therapeutics and functional foods.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing the CRISPR-Cas system to precisely modify the genomes of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), a common probiotic group.
- Employing additive, subtractive, or modulatory genetic strategies to enhance probiotic traits.
- Developing specific approaches like promoter substitution, gene deletion, metabolic boosting, and tolerance enhancement.
Main Results:
- CRISPR-Cas system enables precise and efficient modification of probiotic genomes.
- Enhanced probiotic properties include improved metabolism, increased tolerance, and elimination of undesirable traits.
- CRISPR-engineered probiotics demonstrate potential for advanced applications.
Conclusions:
- The CRISPR-Cas system is a valuable tool for improving probiotic characteristics.
- CRISPR-engineered probiotics represent a significant advancement in microbial therapeutics and functional ingredients.
- This technology broadens the application scope of probiotics in various sectors including food, medicine, and agriculture.
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