Exploring the potential for CRISPR in Toxicology: An Introduction

抄録

CRISPR is an acronym for Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat that refers to the unique organization of short, partially palindromic repeated DNA sequences found in the genomes of bacteria and other microorganisms. Since that discovery, CRISPR-Cas9 is recognized as a powerful and flexible functional genomic screening approach that can be employed to provide mechanistic insight and advance or capabilities in toxicology. CRISPR is known for its role in gene editing and Toxicologists most often employ this technology to modulate gene expression in mechanistic investigations. When CRISPR is used as a modality to treat disease, the challenge for toxicologists in characterization of potential on-and off-target toxicities and informing human safety risks that may be caused by these unique treatments are significant. In this introductory segment, various methods and strategies that have evolved since the discovery of this special bacterial defense system will be discussed. The use of CRISPR for investigative work in toxicology, assay development and the challenges CRISPR-based therapies pose for toxicologists will also be reviewed. Last, an overview of some of the current challenges and potential for CRISPR in toxicology will be outlined to bridge to the main talks in the session.