Frequently asked questions
RNAi & CRISPR
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What is CRISPR?
CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) sequences were originally identified in the Escherichia coli (E. coli) genome, and were found to function as part of an RNA-based adaptive immune system to target and destroy genetic parasites at the DNA level. CRISPR systems have since been adapted for use in various eukaryotic cell types as a simple but versatile genome editing tool, allowing researchers to make specific changes to a cell's DNA.