Genome Editing Tools And Gene Drives

Genome-editing methods are becoming routine tools for molecular and cell biologists. Such tools include ZFNs, CRISPR, megaTALs and TALENs. These tools are revolutionizing the creation of precisely manipulated genomes to modify the characteristics of organisms or cells. Additionally, gene drives have altered the way we understand inheritance laws. They give us the ability to have total control of the inheritance of traits of choice and importance. This succinct volume summarizes the history, principles and applications – as well as the advantages and disadvantages – of each of these tools and various kinds of gene drives. The book is part of a program to produce books helpful to students and faculties of science at colleges and universities. This volume in the Pocket Guides to Biomedical Sciences series will help demystify these technologies. The book fills the gap between established conventional methods and the novel and exciting newly introduced tools of genome editing and gene drives. It will help young scientists understand the emerging genome-editing tools and gene drives, thereby promoting related research and adoption. Key Features Extensively reviews the current genome-editing tools and gene drives Clarifies the targeting mechanisms and specificity of genome-editing tools Details many different types of natural and synthetic gene drives Highlights concerns with gene drives and genome-editing tools Related Titles Brown, T. A. Genomes 4 (ISBN 978-0-8153-4508-4) Samuelsson, T. The Human Genome in Health and Disease: A Story in Four Letters (ISBN 978-0-8153-4591-6) Soh, J., et al. Genome Annotation (ISBN 978-1-4398-4117-4)

This book succinctly reviews and describes genome editing tools such as ZFNs, CRISPR, megaTALs and TALENs. It covers the history, principles, applications and the advantages and disadvantages of each tool. The book provides an approachable outline enhancing science education in schools and universities by demystifying genome editing technologies.

Research on gene drive systems is rapidly advancing. Many proposed applications of gene drive research aim to solve environmental and public health challenges, including the reduction of poverty and the burden of vector-borne diseases, such as malaria and dengue, which disproportionately impact low and middle income countries. However, due to their intrinsic qualities of rapid spread and irreversibility, gene drive systems raise many questions with respect to their safety relative to public and environmental health. Because gene drive systems are designed to alter the environments we share in ways that will be hard to anticipate and impossible to completely roll back, questions about the ethics surrounding use of this research are complex and will require very careful exploration. Gene Drives on the Horizon outlines the state of knowledge relative to the science, ethics, public engagement, and risk assessment as they pertain to research directions of gene drive systems and governance of the research process. This report offers principles for responsible practices of gene drive research and related applications for use by investigators, their institutions, the research funders, and regulators.

"Genome editing: A Comprehensive Treatise provides concise knowledge on genetic manipulation of genome, accomplished in nuclear as well as organellar genomes. Basic principles of genome editing involve induction of double-stranded DNA breaks, with the help of engineered sit-specific thereby induce site-specific deletions, insertions, disruptions, etc. Hence, it is developed under the broader approach of genome engineering. This book is specially designed as a textbook and reference book, as well. The book will be useful for upper undergraduate and graduate students studying genome editing in agricultural, veterinary and medicinal universities. Teachers and researchers in many disciplines will also get benefited from this book. Salient features: DNA repair mechanisms involved in genome editing discussed. Different types of oligonucleotides and animals and plant viruses that have been modified to act as donor DNA molecules described. Detailed discussions on Gene drives, gene expression control, safety issues, regulatory issues and future of genome-editing technology. Include 2530 references, 50 tables and 261 figures. Problems listed at the end of each chapter"--Back cover.

This book discusses CRISPR/Cas- one of the most powerful tools available to scientists for genome editing. CRISPR/Cas is not only a genome editing tool, but researchers have also engineered it for gene regulation, genome imaging, base editing and epigenome regulations. This book describes the entire toolkit for CRISPR/Cas. The opening section gives an introduction to the technique and compares it with other genome editing tools. Further section gives a historical perspective of the tool, along with its detailed classification. The next chapters describe bioinformatic tools in CRISPR/Cas, and delivery methods for CRISPR/Cas. The book also discusses about the applications of CRISPR/Cas beyond genome editing and use of CRISPR for rewriting genetic codes. The book dedicates a section to the use of CRISPR in plants. The book culminates with a chapter on the current status, challenges and shortcomings of the CRISPR/Cas genome editing tool. The book would be highly interesting to students and researchers in molecular biology, biochemistry, biotechnology, food science, agriculture and plant sciences.

Site-specific endonucleases create double-strand breaks within the genome and can be targeted to literally any genetic mutation. Together with a repair template, a correction of the defective locus becomes possible. This book offers insight into the modern tools of genome editing, their hurdles and their huge potential. A new era of in vivo genetic engineering has begun.

Research on gene drive systems is rapidly advancing. Many proposed applications of gene drive research aim to solve environmental and public health challenges, including the reduction of poverty and the burden of vector-borne diseases, such as malaria and dengue, which disproportionately impact low and middle income countries. However, due to their intrinsic qualities of rapid spread and irreversibility, gene drive systems raise many questions with respect to their safety relative to public and environmental health. Because gene drive systems are designed to alter the environments we share in ways that will be hard to anticipate and impossible to completely roll back, questions about the ethics surrounding use of this research are complex and will require very careful exploration. Gene Drives on the Horizon outlines the state of knowledge relative to the science, ethics, public engagement, and risk assessment as they pertain to research directions of gene drive systems and governance of the research process. This report offers principles for responsible practices of gene drive research and related applications for use by investigators, their institutions, the research funders, and regulators.