Genome Editing Tools: Need of the Current Era

Abstract

Genome editing is considered as the most widely used approach of the present era. It had become a basic need of the current micro and molecular biological experiments. Gene engineering finds its widespread applications in medical, industry and agricultural sector. Unlike previous genetic engineering practices to insert or delete a part of genetic material at random place, genome editing allows the precise manipulation of DNA at a specific location. Zinc Finger Nucleases (ZFNs), Transcription Activator like Effector Nucleases (TALENs), Clustered Regularly Interspresed Short Palindromic repeats (CRISPR/Cas system) and meganucleases (recombinases) are the prime tools for editing an organism’s genome. Genome editing tools have an advantage to selectively delete or to integrate specific genes at specific loci. Use of recombinases for specifying site has further reduced time to integrate genes site specifically. Site specific gene stacking by the use of recombinases coupled with ZFNs, TALENs, or CRISPR/Cas genes have paved new pathways to target genes site specifically and to improve germplasm in lesser time than conventional breeding approaches.