The CRISPR-Cas toolbox and gene editing technologies

The emergence of CRISPR-Cas systems has accelerated the development of gene editing technologies, which are widely used in the life sciences. To improve the performance of these systems, workers have engineered and developed a variety of CRISPR-Cas tools with a broader range of targets, higher efficiency and specificity, and greater precision. Moreover, CRISPR-Cas-related technologies have also been expanded beyond making cuts in DNA by introducing functional elements that permit precise gene modification, control gene expression, make epigenetic changes, and so on. In this review, we introduce and summarize the characteristics and applications of different types of CRISPR-Cas tools. We discuss certain limitations of current approaches and future prospects for optimizing CRISPR-Cas systems.

Automated summary

The emergence of CRISPR-Cas systems has greatly advanced gene editing technologies in the field of life sciences. Various CRISPR-Cas tools have been engineered to improve their performance, allowing for a broader range of targets, higher efficiency and specificity, and greater precision. Additionally, functional elements have been introduced to enable precise gene modification, gene expression control, and epigenetic changes. This review provides an overview of different types of CRISPR-Cas tools, discusses current limitations, and explores future prospects for optimizing CRISPR-Cas systems.