Researchers developed a biodegradable synthetic lipid nanoparticle (which more easily penetrates the cell) to deliver CRISPR/Cas9. The nanoparticles encapsulate messenger RNA (mRNA) encoding Cas9. and once the contents of the nanoparticles are released the cell’s protein-making machinery creates Cas9 from the mRNA template.

Compared to ordinary CRISPR’s one percent success rate with DNA insertion, the ‘jumping gene’ system was about 80 percent successful.

Scientiists have embraced CRISPR’s ability to quickly and cheaply modify the genomes of popular model organisms, but now they are trying the tool on more-exotic species.

Researchers described a method of rendering CRISPR-Cas9 "immunosilent," potentially allowing the editing and repair of genes to be accomplished reliably and stealthily.

Research demonstrates the feasibility of using type I CRISPR-Cas to effectively introduce a spectrum of long-range chromosomal deletions with a single RNA guide in human embryonic stem cells and HAP1 cells. Type I CRISPR systems rely on the multi-subunit ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex Cascade to identify DNA targets and on the helicase-nuclease enzyme Cas3 to degrade DNA processively.

Scientists have developed a method to boost the efficiency of CRISPR gene editing in Duchenne muscular dystrophy, according to a study that could have implications for optimizing gene therapies for other diseases.

CRISPR has transformed many areas of biology but using this tool to enhance certain varieties of crops such as wheat and corn remains difficult because of the plants’ tough cell walls. Now, an agricultural company has solved that problem by using pollen from one genetically modified plant to carry CRISPR’s components into another plant’s cells.

Alex Kelly, BioFoundry’s 26-year-old lab manager, compares biotech to the birth of the computer, once cloistered in big corporations, now at everyone’s fingertips. Upskill the people in biotech, Kelly believes, and you’ll get disruption writ large, with a potentially massive payoff for the most disadvantaged.

The brains of two genetically edited girls born in China last year may have been changed in ways that enhance cognition and memory, scientists say.

Powerful gene-editing tool could help to diagnose illnesses such as Lassa fever early and rein in the spread of infection.