Key points from article :
While treating a variety of diseases, CRISPR-Cas9 editing involves permanent changes to the genetic material.
A new gene editing technology, CRISPRoff controls gene expression while leaving the DNA sequence unchanged.
Stable enough to be inherited through cell divisions, and is also fully reversible.
"We now have a simple tool that can silence the vast majority of genes," - Jonathan Weissman, corresponding author.
Epigenetic gene silencing often works through methylation
A tiny protein machine guided by small RNAs, can tack methyl groups onto specific spots on the strand.
Methylated genes are then silenced or turned off, hence CRISPRoff.
Can reverse the silencing effect using enzymes that remove methyl groups, a method called CRISPRon.
Able to silence genes that did not have large methylated regions called CpG islands.
"Can deliver it transiently as a DNA or as an RNA," - Weissman.
"Great tool for exploring the function of genome," - Weissman.
Research by Whitehead Institute published in Cell.
