What is CRISPR-Cas9?

CRISPR-Cas9 is a unique technology that enables geneticists and medical researchers to edit parts of the genome by removing, adding or altering sections of the DNA sequence.

It is currently the simplest, most versatile and precise method of genetic manipulation and is therefore causing a buzz in the science world.

CRISPR-Cas9 is a genome editing tool that is creating a buzz in the science world. It is faster, cheaper and more accurate than previous techniques of editing DNA and has a wide range of potential applications.

How does it work?

1. The CRISPR-Cas9 system consists of two key molecules that introduce a change (mutation) into the DNA. These are:

⦁ an enzyme called Cas9. This acts as a pair of ‘molecular scissors’ that can cut the two strands of DNA at a specific location in the genome so that bits of DNA can then be added or removed.

⦁ a piece of RNA called guide RNA (gRNA). This consists of a small piece of pre-designed RNA sequence located within a longer RNA scaffold. The scaffold part binds to DNA and the pre-designed sequence ‘guides’ Cas9 to the right part of the genome. This makes sure that the Cas9 enzyme cuts at the right point in the genome.

2. The guide RNA is designed to find and bind to a specific sequence in the DNA. The guide RNA has RNA bases that are complementary to those of the target DNA sequence in the genome. This means that, at least in theory, the guide RNA will only bind to the target sequence and no other regions of the genome.

3. The Cas9 follows the guide RNA to the same location in the DNA sequence and makes a cut across both strands of the DNA.

4. At this stage the cell recognizes that the DNA is damaged and tries to repair it.

5. Scientists can use the DNA repair machinery to introduce changes to one or more genes in the genome of a cell of interest.

What other techniques are there for altering genes?

Over the years scientists have learned about genetics and gene function by studying the effects of changes in DNA.

If you can create a change in a gene, either in a cell line or a whole organism, it is possible to then study the effect of that change to understand what the function of that gene is.

For a long time geneticists used chemicals or radiation to cause mutations. However, they had no way of controlling where in the genome the mutation would occur.

For several years scientists have been using ‘gene targeting’ to introduce changes in specific places in the genome, by removing or adding either whole genes or single bases.

Traditional gene targeting has been very valuable for studying genes and genetics, however it takes a long time to create a mutation and is fairly expensive.

Several ‘gene editing’ technologies have recently been developed to improve gene targeting methods, including CRISPR-Cas systems, transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs) and zinc-finger nucleases (ZFNs).

The CRISPR-Cas9 system currently stands out as the fastest, cheapest and most reliable system for ‘editing’ genes.

What are the applications and implications?

CRISPR-Cas9 has a lot of potential as a tool for treating a range of medical conditions that have a genetic component, including cancer, hepatitis B or even high cholesterol.

Many of the proposed applications involve editing the genomes of somatic (non-reproductive) cells but there has been a lot of interest in and debate about the potential to edit germline (reproductive) cells.

Because any changes made in germline cells will be passed on from generation to generation it has important ethical implications.

Carrying out gene editing in germline cells is currently illegal in the UK and most other countries.

By contrast, the use of CRISPR-Cas9 and other gene editing technologies in somatic cells is uncontroversial. Indeed they have already been used to treat human disease on a small number of exceptional and/or life-threatening cases.

What’s the future of CRISPR-Cas9?

It is likely to be many years before CRISPR-Cas9 is used routinely in humans.

Much research is still focusing on its use in animal models or isolated human cells, with the aim to eventually use the technology to routinely treat diseases in humans.

There is a lot of work focusing on eliminating ‘off-target’ effects, where the CRISPR-Cas9 system cuts at a different gene to the one that was intended to be edited.

Job Scope

Jobs directly related to your degree include:

· Academic researcher

· Biomedical scientist

· Clinical research associate

· Clinical scientist, genomics

· Clinical scientist, immunology

· Genetic counselor

· Plant breeder/geneticist

· Research scientist (life sciences)

· Research scientist (medical)

Jobs where your degree would be useful include:

· Biotechnologist

· Data scientist

· Epidemiologist

· Forensic scientist

· Medical science liaison

· Physician associate

· Scientific laboratory technician

· Science writer

· Secondary school teacher

Salary Range Provided in Genetic Engineering field:

Candidate in jobs or training period ranges from 2-2.8 Lakh per annum

For research associate, it ranges from 3.5 lakh to 5 lakh per year.

Junior scientists vary from 6-9 lakh per annum

Whereas for a senior scientist, it varies between 15-16 lakh per annum in private companies.

Not only in India but in foreign also if you are looking for a career the average annual base salary is $159,339 to $194,895 of geneticists in the USA. For example, a doctoral researcher gets a package of more than 22 lakh per annum (i.e. € 29,060/ year) whereas for postdoctoral researchers more than 50 Lakh per annum (€50,525/year). As the experience in this field increases, the salary packages offered in both private and government sector increases.

Who can enroll?

· Students pursuing their Life Science / Biotechnology / Bioscience / BSc / BTech / MSc / MTech who aspire to work in the clinical research field.

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