An Introduction to Genome Editing Techniques

Understanding the genome and its function is crucial to understanding its role in health and disease. Genome editing—from inhibiting a gene to altering gene expression—provides an insight into a better understanding of genomic function. Genome editing techniques paved a way for manipulation of DNA by altering the function of specific genes. A specific, targeted change in DNA allowed scientists to precisely manipulate DNA both in vitro using cell line and in vivo in animal models. In the last two decades, advances in editing techniques have led to significant breakthroughs in genome editing science. Engineered nucleases enabled targeted DNA alterations in a wide variety of cells, leading to the treatment of genetic disorders which were previously impossible or difficult to treat. In this chapter, we discuss different modifiable endonuclease-based genome editing techniques, their mechanism of action, structure, and comparison of function, how these techniques have revolutionized genome editing, and their potential applications in different fields of biology.