A groundbreaking discovery dubbed “bridge RNA” is poised to address the limitations of CRISPR technology. This novel gene editing technique, unearthed by researchers at the Arc Institute in Palo Alto in collaboration with the University of Tokyo, promises to expand the horizons of genetic manipulation.
While CRISPR — discovered as recently as 10 years ago — has been a game-changer in targeting genetic diseases, its capabilities are constrained when it comes to inserting large DNA segments or entire genes. Bridge RNA, however, leverages the innate ability of “jumping genes” to navigate through genomes, potentially allowing for more extensive genetic modifications.
The core of this innovation lies in a unique molecule that can simultaneously recognize two DNA strands – the editing target and the new genetic material to be inserted. This dual recognition capability enables a recombinase enzyme to perform precise genetic alterations.
The discovery stemmed from an investigation into bacterial transposable elements, specifically the IS110 element. Researchers observed an intriguing phenomenon where the element forms a circular structure upon leaving the genome, revealing a hidden RNA sequence. This RNA forms two loops, one binding to the IS110 element and the other to the intended insertion site in the genome, effectively creating a “bridge” between them.
In preliminary experiments, scientists successfully used this system to insert, remove, and invert substantial DNA segments in E. coli bacteria with remarkable accuracy. This achievement marks a significant advancement over CRISPR’s capabilities, which are primarily limited to smaller genetic changes.
A key advantage of bridge RNA is its ability to specify both the target and donor DNA sequences, offering greater control and flexibility compared to CRISPR. Moreover, the bridge editing process appears to be less disruptive to DNA integrity, potentially reducing unintended genetic alterations.
While the technology has shown promise in bacterial systems and in vitro experiments, its application in human cells remains unexplored. Researchers are now focusing on adapting the technique for human cell use, improving its precision and efficiency, and investigating additional functionalities of the IS110 element.
The potential applications of bridge RNA in human genetics are vast. It could revolutionize cell therapies for cancer, offer new approaches to treating inherited disorders, and provide innovative solutions for neurodegenerative diseases characterized by repetitive genetic mutations.
As the scientific community eagerly anticipates further developments, bridge RNA technology stands at the cusp of potentially surpassing CRISPR in its ability to make large-scale, precise genetic modifications. If successful in human applications, this new technique could usher in a new era of genetic medicine, offering safer and more versatile tools for genetic engineering.
While still in its early stages, bridge RNA represents a promising leap forward in our ability to manipulate the genetic code, potentially opening doors to treatments and cures previously thought impossible.
Sources:
1. Nature: “Bridge RNAs direct programmable recombination of target and donor DNA.”