Nanotechnology in Gene Editing: Pioneering CRISPR-Cas Delivery Systems to Tackle Antibiotic Resistance

Abstract

The rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, driven by antibiotic misuse, is a major global health threat. Addressing this issue requires understanding resistance mechanisms and developing innovative solutions. Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)-associated systems (Cas), a genome-editing tool derived from prokaryotic defense mechanisms, offers precise targeting of antibiotic-resistant genes. By reprogramming CRISPR-Cas, bacteria can be killed or resensitized to antibiotics through plasmid curing. However, clinical applications face challenges, particularly in delivering CRISPR-Cas components effectively. Nanotechnology has emerged as a promising approach for targeted delivery to tissues and cells. This paper explores the molecular mechanisms of antibiotic resistance, emphasizing the structure and function of CRISPR-Cas systems and their delivery mechanisms. It highlights the use of nanoparticles (NPs) and nanoscale carriers to deliver CRISPR-Cas components, reviewing recent studies that combine NPs and CRISPR to target resistance genes. Additionally, the paper discusses current challenges and future prospects in this field, underscoring the potential of CRISPR-Cas and nanotechnology to combat antibiotic resistance.