The CRISPR/Cas9 system sheds new lights on the biology of protozoan parasites.

Authors:
Grzybek M1, Golonko A2, Górska A3, Szczepaniak K3, Strachecka A4, Lass A5, Lisowski P6,7.
In:
Source: Biotechnology Journal
Publication Date: (2018)
Issue: 102: 11
Research Area:
Parasitology
Cells used in publication:
Trypanosoma cruzi
Species: unicellular
Tissue Origin:
Plasmodium yoelii
Species: unicellular
Tissue Origin: blood
Plasmodium falciparum
Species: unicellular
Tissue Origin:
Platform:
Nucleofector® I/II/2b
4D-Nucleofector® X-Unit
Experiment

This publication is a review of genome editing applications in parasitology. Overview of successful CRISPR Cas9 edits with Plasmodium and Leishmania. CRISPR/Cas9 systems will have a significant influence on the process of developing novel drugs and treatment strategies against protozoa parasites.

Abstract

The CRISPR/Cas9 system, a natural defence system of bacterial organisms, has recently been used to modify genomes of the most important protozoa parasites. Successful genome manipulations with the CRISPR/Cas9 system are changing the present view of genetics in parasitology. The application of this system offers a major chance to overcome the current restriction in culturing, maintaining and analysing protozoan parasites, and allows dynamic analysis of parasite genes functions, leading to a better understanding of pathogenesis. CRISPR/Cas9 system will have a significant influence on the process of developing novel drugs and treatment strategies against protozoa parasites.