CRISPR-Cas systems are found widely in most bacteria and archaea, and exist as an adaptive immune system in prokaryotes. This system provides a defence against invading viruses and bacteriophages, by integrating short viral sequences into the prokaryotic cell’s CRISPR locus, which enables the cell to remember the infecting species, and subsequently recognize and clear repeated infections.
The CRISPR array is characterized by alternating identical repeats and unique spacers that are flanked by CRISPR-associated proteins, called Cas proteins. Due to constant integration events, the spacers at the CRISPR locus, and the Cas proteins themselves, are hugely diverse. Based upon Cas protein characteristics, CRISPR-Cas systems can be classified into three classes and six types, however, the distinct functional features of the most novel CRISPR-Cas variants are not well elucidated.
CRISPR technology is widely used in genome editing and genetic engineering, and can be repurposed to precisely target antibiotic resistance genes, disable pathogen genomes and provide novel therapeutic approaches to disease.
The goal of this research topic is to provide an overview of recent advances in applications of CRISPR-Cas systems in pathogen identification and typing, and in the diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases.
We are inviting you to contribute to this Research Topic with Reviews, Mini-Reviews, Original Research and Opinion pieces that cover, but are not limited to, the use of the CRISPR-Cas system in:
· Pathogen detection & genotyping
· The diagnosis of infectious diseases
· The treatment of infectious diseases
CRISPR-Cas systems are found widely in most bacteria and archaea, and exist as an adaptive immune system in prokaryotes. This system provides a defence against invading viruses and bacteriophages, by integrating short viral sequences into the prokaryotic cell’s CRISPR locus, which enables the cell to remember the infecting species, and subsequently recognize and clear repeated infections.
The CRISPR array is characterized by alternating identical repeats and unique spacers that are flanked by CRISPR-associated proteins, called Cas proteins. Due to constant integration events, the spacers at the CRISPR locus, and the Cas proteins themselves, are hugely diverse. Based upon Cas protein characteristics, CRISPR-Cas systems can be classified into three classes and six types, however, the distinct functional features of the most novel CRISPR-Cas variants are not well elucidated.
CRISPR technology is widely used in genome editing and genetic engineering, and can be repurposed to precisely target antibiotic resistance genes, disable pathogen genomes and provide novel therapeutic approaches to disease.
The goal of this research topic is to provide an overview of recent advances in applications of CRISPR-Cas systems in pathogen identification and typing, and in the diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases.
We are inviting you to contribute to this Research Topic with Reviews, Mini-Reviews, Original Research and Opinion pieces that cover, but are not limited to, the use of the CRISPR-Cas system in:
· Pathogen detection & genotyping
· The diagnosis of infectious diseases
· The treatment of infectious diseases
