A technology capable of inserting large sequences of DNA at desired points in cells

Using the CRISPR gene-editing system as a starting point, the scientists designed a new technology that makes it possible to cut out faulty genes and replace them with new ones, in a way that is safer and more efficient than previously available methods.

Using this new system, the team led by Omar Abu Dayyeh, of the McGovern Institute for Brain Research, attached to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the US, succeeded in inserting genes of up to 36,000 base pairs of DNA into various types of human cells, as well as mouse liver cells. .

Dubbed PASTE, the new technology may be key to treating diseases caused by defective genes with a large number of mutations, such as cystic fibrosis.

The new technology combines the high-precision targeting ability of CRISPR-Cas9, a group of molecules originally derived from bacterial defense systems, with enzymes called integrins, which viruses use to insert their genetic material into the bacterial genome.

Like CRISPR, these integral statements come from the long-running war between the side of bacteria and the side of the viruses that infect them.

Artist’s presentation of the concept of DNA manipulation. (photo: Amazings/NCYT)

Other members of Abudayyeh’s team include Jonathan Guttenberg, Matthew Jarnal, Rohan Krajeski, Eleonora Iannidi, and Sian Schmidt-Olms, all of whom are affiliated with MIT.

Abu Dayyeh and colleagues discuss the technical details of the PASTE system in the academic journal Nature Biotechnology, under the title “Drag-and-drop genome insertion of large sequences without double-stranded DNA cleavage using CRISPR-guided integrases.” (Line: NCYT by Amazings)