Harnessing bacterial immunity: CRISPR-Cas system as a versatile tool in combating pathogens and revolutionizing medicine
Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) technology has emerged as an adaptable instrument for several uses. The CRISPR–Cas system employs Cas proteins and programmable RNA molecules to guide the recognition and cleavage of specific DNA regions, permitting accurate genome e...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-05-01
|
| Series: | Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2025.1588446/full |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849717495252910080 |
|---|---|
| author | Mushtak T. S. Al-Ouqaili Amna Ahmad Noor A. Jwair Farah Al-Marzooq |
| author_facet | Mushtak T. S. Al-Ouqaili Amna Ahmad Noor A. Jwair Farah Al-Marzooq |
| author_sort | Mushtak T. S. Al-Ouqaili |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) technology has emerged as an adaptable instrument for several uses. The CRISPR–Cas system employs Cas proteins and programmable RNA molecules to guide the recognition and cleavage of specific DNA regions, permitting accurate genome editing. It is derived from the bacterial immune system and allows for accurate and efficient modification of DNA sequences. This technique provides unparalleled gene editing, control, and precise alteration opportunities. This review aims to offer a comprehensive update of the core concepts of the CRISPR–Cas system and recent progress, while also providing an overview of the significant applications in diverse fields such as microbiology and medicine. The CRISPR–Cas9 gene editing technique has facilitated substantial advancements in comprehending gene function, simulating diseases, and creating innovative therapeutics. CRISPR-based therapeutics present a hopeful prospect for addressing intricate ailments, including genetic disorders, malignancies, and infectious diseases, as they serve as viable substitutes for conventional pharmaceuticals. In microbiology, this method serves as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool that proves highly efficient in eliminating bacteria that have developed resistance to various antibiotics. Despite its significant potential, CRISPR encounters ethical, safety, and regulatory obstacles that necessitate meticulous deliberation. Concerns regarding off-target effects, poor delivery to target tissues, and unwanted side effects emphasize the necessity to thoroughly examine the technology. It is necessary to balance the advantages and difficulties CRISPR presents. Consequently, more rigorous preclinical and clinical experiments are essential before using it in humans. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-6f7fec55c72d4e2fada831789a9c5bf2 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2235-2988 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology |
| spelling | doaj-art-6f7fec55c72d4e2fada831789a9c5bf22025-08-20T03:12:38ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology2235-29882025-05-011510.3389/fcimb.2025.15884461588446Harnessing bacterial immunity: CRISPR-Cas system as a versatile tool in combating pathogens and revolutionizing medicineMushtak T. S. Al-Ouqaili0Amna Ahmad1Noor A. Jwair2Farah Al-Marzooq3Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Anbar, Ramadi, Anbar Governorate, IraqDepartment of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, United Arab EmiratesAnbar Health Directorate, Department of Public Health, Anbar Governorate, Ramadi, IraqDepartment of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, United Arab EmiratesClustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) technology has emerged as an adaptable instrument for several uses. The CRISPR–Cas system employs Cas proteins and programmable RNA molecules to guide the recognition and cleavage of specific DNA regions, permitting accurate genome editing. It is derived from the bacterial immune system and allows for accurate and efficient modification of DNA sequences. This technique provides unparalleled gene editing, control, and precise alteration opportunities. This review aims to offer a comprehensive update of the core concepts of the CRISPR–Cas system and recent progress, while also providing an overview of the significant applications in diverse fields such as microbiology and medicine. The CRISPR–Cas9 gene editing technique has facilitated substantial advancements in comprehending gene function, simulating diseases, and creating innovative therapeutics. CRISPR-based therapeutics present a hopeful prospect for addressing intricate ailments, including genetic disorders, malignancies, and infectious diseases, as they serve as viable substitutes for conventional pharmaceuticals. In microbiology, this method serves as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool that proves highly efficient in eliminating bacteria that have developed resistance to various antibiotics. Despite its significant potential, CRISPR encounters ethical, safety, and regulatory obstacles that necessitate meticulous deliberation. Concerns regarding off-target effects, poor delivery to target tissues, and unwanted side effects emphasize the necessity to thoroughly examine the technology. It is necessary to balance the advantages and difficulties CRISPR presents. Consequently, more rigorous preclinical and clinical experiments are essential before using it in humans.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2025.1588446/fullgene editingCRISPR-CasCas9innovative therapeuticsinfections |
| spellingShingle | Mushtak T. S. Al-Ouqaili Amna Ahmad Noor A. Jwair Farah Al-Marzooq Harnessing bacterial immunity: CRISPR-Cas system as a versatile tool in combating pathogens and revolutionizing medicine Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology gene editing CRISPR-Cas Cas9 innovative therapeutics infections |
| title | Harnessing bacterial immunity: CRISPR-Cas system as a versatile tool in combating pathogens and revolutionizing medicine |
| title_full | Harnessing bacterial immunity: CRISPR-Cas system as a versatile tool in combating pathogens and revolutionizing medicine |
| title_fullStr | Harnessing bacterial immunity: CRISPR-Cas system as a versatile tool in combating pathogens and revolutionizing medicine |
| title_full_unstemmed | Harnessing bacterial immunity: CRISPR-Cas system as a versatile tool in combating pathogens and revolutionizing medicine |
| title_short | Harnessing bacterial immunity: CRISPR-Cas system as a versatile tool in combating pathogens and revolutionizing medicine |
| title_sort | harnessing bacterial immunity crispr cas system as a versatile tool in combating pathogens and revolutionizing medicine |
| topic | gene editing CRISPR-Cas Cas9 innovative therapeutics infections |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2025.1588446/full |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT mushtaktsalouqaili harnessingbacterialimmunitycrisprcassystemasaversatiletoolincombatingpathogensandrevolutionizingmedicine AT amnaahmad harnessingbacterialimmunitycrisprcassystemasaversatiletoolincombatingpathogensandrevolutionizingmedicine AT noorajwair harnessingbacterialimmunitycrisprcassystemasaversatiletoolincombatingpathogensandrevolutionizingmedicine AT farahalmarzooq harnessingbacterialimmunitycrisprcassystemasaversatiletoolincombatingpathogensandrevolutionizingmedicine |