Author(s): Binnie, Alexandra ; Fernandes, Emanuel ; Almeida‑Lousada, Helder ; De Mello, Ramon Andrade ; Castelo-Branco, Pedro
Date: 2021
Persistent ID: http://hdl.handle.net/10400.1/14994
Origin: Sapientia - Universidade do Algarve
Subject(s): CRISPR gene editing; Pandemic viruses; Infectious diseases; Resistant bacteria; Viral infections
CRISPR gene-editing technology has the potential to transform the diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases, but most clinicians are unaware of its broad applicability. Derived from an ancient microbial defence system, these so-called "molecular scissors" enable precise gene editing with a low error rate. However, CRISPR systems can also be targeted against pathogenic DNA or RNA sequences. This potential is being combined with innovative delivery systems to develop new therapeutic approaches to infectious diseases.
