🔬 Discovery of CRISPRs Long Lost Ancestor May Expand
Published by OOPSONLINE.IN · Source: Phys.org · 1 min read · · Updated
What actually happened
CRISPR may be a powerful technology for gene editing, but the system existed in bacteria long before scientists began using it. For billions of years, CRISPR has acted as a natural immune system in bacteria and other microbes, helping defend them against invading viruses. But now, two new studies, published in Science, describe a similar RNA-guided system that originated in the viruses themselves and appears to be a precursor to CRISPR.
Key points
- CRISPR may be a powerful technology for gene editing, but the system existed in bacteria long before scientists began using it.
- For billions of years, CRISPR has acted as a natural immune system in bacteria and other microbes, helping defend them against invading viruses.
- But now, two new studies, published in Science, describe a similar RNA-guided system that originated in the viruses themselves and appears to be a precursor to CRISPR.
Summary based on data provided by Phys.org. Full article available at the original publisher.
- #science
- #discovery
- #crispr