PAID ACCESS | Published on : 04-Feb-2026 | Pages: 8-18 | Doi : 10.37446/edibook152024/8-18
Genome editing has emerged as one of the most transformative tools in modern biotechnology, enabling targeted and precise modifications in the genome of living organisms. Genome editing has wide applications in all fields of biology. Among the various genome editing tools CRISPR/Cas9 technology is the most popular and widely used tool. The precision and ease of use has made the CRISPR/Cas technology as the favourite tool in the tool box of a genetic engineers. Derived from bacterial immune system, the CRISPR-Cas system show wide variations in terms of components, mode of action specificity etc. There is various advancement in the CRISPR-Cas system which are developed to overcome the negative effects of conventional system like off target effects, PAM requirement specificity etc. This chapter provides an overview of gene-editing technologies, focusing on the evolution from early approaches like Zinc Finger Nucleases (ZFNs) to the highly efficient CRISPR-Cas systems. The molecular components and working mechanism of CRISPR, highlighting the roles of guide RNAs, Cas nucleases, and protospacer adjacent motifs in achieving accurate DNA cleavage are briefly explained. While CRISPR technology encompasses numerous breakthroughs and applications in crop improvement, such as enhancing disease resistance, tolerance to abiotic stress, and nutritional quality, this chapter emphasizes the most notable and relevant advancements in relation to plant breeding. Various CRISPR-Cas cassette delivery techniques are also discussed with respect to their efficiency and limitations in plant systems. This chapter serves as a foundational resource for understanding the technology's scope and applications in plant science.
Genome editing, CRISPR-Cas9, guide RNA, Crop improvement, NHEJ
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