From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: FnCas9 Enzyme
Why in the News?
- Scientists from the “CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology” have developed an enhanced genome-editing system using FnCas9 that can modify DNA more precisely and more efficiently than existing CRISPR-based technologies.
- CRISPR occurs naturally in some bacteria, as a part of their immune system that limits infections by recognizing and destroying viral DNA.
What is FnCas9?
- FnCas9 is a variant of the Cas9 enzyme derived from the bacterium Francisella novicida.
- It is used in genome editing technologies, particularly within the CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) system, to make precise modifications to DNA sequences.
What is CRISPR-Cas9 System?
Mechanism:
Applications:
Challenges with Traditional Cas9: SpCas9 can sometimes cut DNA at unintended sites, leading to potential unintended genetic modifications. |
How FnCas9 overpowers traditional Cas9 (SpCas9)?
- FnCas9 is known for its higher specificity in targeting DNA sequences compared to SpCas9, resulting in fewer off-target effects.
- More accurate targeting reduces unintended genetic modifications.
- It ensures more reliable and safer genome editing.
Achievements by Indian Scientists
- Scientists at the CSIR-IGIB in New Delhi have modified FnCas9 to enhance its efficiency without compromising specificity.
- Key Modifications include:
-
- Amino Acid Tinkering: Researchers modified amino acids in FnCas9 that interact with the PAM sequence to increase binding affinity.
- Improved Binding: Enhanced binding affinity allows FnCas9 to sit more securely on the DNA, improving gene-editing effectiveness.
- Flexibility: The enhanced FnCas9 can access and edit hard-to-reach regions of the genome.
Experimental Results:
- Enhanced FnCas9 cuts target DNA at a higher rate than the unmodified version.
- FnCas9 improved ability to detect single-nucleotide changes in the genome, broadening its diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
| PYQ:
[2019] What is Cas9 protein that is often mentioned in news? (a) A molecular scissors used in targeted gene editing (b) A biosensor used in the accurate detection of pathogens in patients (c) A gene that makes plants pest-resistant (d) A herbicidal substance synthesized in genetically modified crops [2016] In the context of the developments in Bioinformatics, the term ‘transcriptome’, sometimes seen in the news, refers to: (a) a range of enzymes used in genome editing (b) the full range of mRNA molecules expressed by an organism (c) the description of the mechanism of gene expression (d) a mechanism of genetic mutations taking place in cells |
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