Genome Editing

For decades, genome engineering relied on techniques that took years to master, required the generation of large and often complex DNA constructs containing selection markers, and could be applied to only a few organisms. However, the ease and effi ciency of current technologies to edit genomes are unprecedented. With the advent of targetable nucleases, most notably the CRISPR-Cas9 technology, genomes of all species are now easily accessible to modifi cations. This advance has provided countless opportunities not only to further our understanding of gene functions and disease mechanisms but also to correct disease-causing mutations, modify crops and livestock, and perhaps modify our environment. This chapter discusses the advances in genome-editing technologies and their current and future applications.