Genome editing is a technique that lets scientists change the DNA of many organisms, including plants, bacteria, and animals. Editing DNA can lead to changes in physical traits and disease risk. Scientists use different technologies to do this. These technologies act like scissors, cutting the DNA at a specific spot. Then scientists can remove, add, or replace the DNA where it was cut.
The first genome editing technologies were developed in the late 1980s. More recently, a new genome editing tool called CRISPR, invented in 2009, has made it easier than ever to edit DNA. CRISPR is simpler, faster, cheaper, and more accurate than older genome editing methods. Many scientists who perform genome editing now use CRISPR.
Our May newsletter focuses on genome editing, and provides an understanding of, and teaching tools for, the CRISPR gene-editing technique.
The May Resource of the Month, two detailed interactive tools listing helpful online resources, and our Pinterest pages are chosen to make it easier for teachers to explore and bolster their knowledge of CRISPR-Cas9.