Which role(s) does the enzyme Cas9 play in genome editing? The Role of Cas9 Enzyme in Genome Editing

Cas9 Enzyme’s Role in Genome Editing

Cas9 is a nuclease that has played a major role in the recent evolution of genome editing. Cas9 is responsible for cleaving double-stranded genetic material at a specific site. It makes it possible to alter the genome information in an organism’s DNA (Gaj, et al. 2016). It is widely used in gene therapy, and other biomedical applications. Cas9 also helps to generate transgenic organisms. These organisms can be used for studying gene function or understanding the consequences of genetic mutations. Cas9 can also be used for gene therapy. In order to increase yields, or resist herbicides, crops can be altered (Hao and colleagues, 2016). Cas9 also can be used for livestock modification, including pigs to optimize their farming or breeding (Liu and al., 2002). Cas9 has been explored for its potential as a method of gene driving, which allows for rapid spread of a desirable trait among a population. It could also be used in combating disease-carrying insects such as mosquitoes. (Gantz and al., 2016,). Cont….