AI Meets CRISPR for Precise Gene Editing

人工智能与CRISPR相结合，实现精确基因编辑

关键词：

来源：

苏黎世联邦理工学院

来源地址：

https://hest.ethz.ch/en/news/news-and-events/2025/08/ai-meets-crispr-for-precise-gene-editing.html

资源所属：

马铃薯基因组设计育种

类型：

前沿资讯

语种：

英语

原文发布日期：

2025-08-12

摘要：

"Precise and targeted DNA editing by small point mutations as well as the integration of whole genes via CRISPR/Cas technology has great potential for applications in biotechnology and gene therapy. However, it is very important that the so-called “gene scissors” do not cause any unintended genetic changes, but maintain genomic integrity to avoid unintended side effects. Normally, double-stranded breaks in the DNA molecule are accurately repaired in humans and other organisms. But occasionally, this DNA end joining repair results in genetic errors. scientists from the University of Zurich (UZH), Ghent University in Belgium and the ETH Zurich have developed a new method which greatly improves the precision of genome editing. Using artificial intelligence (AI), the tool called “Pythia” predicts how cells repair their DNA after it is cut by gene editing tools such as CRISPR/Cas9. “Our team developed tiny DNA repair templates, which act like molecular glue and guide the cell to make precise genetic changes”, says lead author Thomas Naert, who pioneered the technology in at the UZH and is currently a post-doc at Gent University.These AI-designed templates were first tested in human cell cultures, where they enabled highly accurate gene edits and integrations. The approach was also validated in other organisms, including Xenopus, a small tropical frog used in biomedical research, and in living mice, where the researchers successfully edited DNA in brain cells."