Structural and biochemical framework for CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing
Event details
| Date | 25.11.2016 |
| Hour | 11:00 › 12:00 |
| Speaker | Dr. Martin Jinek |
| Location | |
| Category | Conferences - Seminars |
The CRISPR-Cas9 system has emerged as a powerful technology for modifying the genetic information in cells and organisms. The CRISPR-associated protein Cas9 is an RNA-guided DNA nuclease that associates with an unusual dual-RNA guide structure and cleaves double-stranded DNA sequences complementary to a 20-nucleotide sequence in the guide RNA. The enzyme can be programmed using single-molecule guide RNAs to induce double-strand DNA breaks in genomic DNA, paving the way for RNA-guided genetic genome editing. Our current work focuses on obtaining structural insights into the molecular function of Cas9. To this end, we have determined crystals structures of apo-Cas9 and Cas9 bound to a guide RNA and a DNA target. The structures shed light on the molecular mechanism of Cas9-mediated DNA binding and cleavage and reveal the conformational transitions occurring during the process. These studies provide the structural framework for the ongoing development of CRISPR-Cas9 for a new generation of genome editing tools and technologies.
Practical information
- General public
- Free