TODAY’S PATENT – CRISPR-CAS SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ALTERING EXPRESSION OF GENE PRODUCTS

The invention pertains to systems, methods, and compositions for modifying the expression of target gene sequences and related gene products. It provides vectors and vector systems, some of which encode one or more components of a CRISPR complex, as well as methods for designing and using such vectors. Additionally, it provides methods for directing CRISPR complex formation in eukaryotic cells and methods for utilizing the CRISPR-Cas system.

The USPTO granted the patent on July 8th, 2014, bearing the serial number US8771945B1. The invention offers an engineered, programmable, non-naturally occurring CRISPR-Cas system comprising a Cas9 protein and one or more guide RNAs. These RNAs target the genomic loci of DNA molecules encoding one or more gene products in a eukaryotic cell. The Cas9 protein cleaves the genomic loci of the DNA molecules encoding the one or more gene products, altering their expression. The Cas9 protein and the guide RNAs do not naturally occur together.

This invention offers a ground breaking technique for genome editing and has numerous applications in the field of medicine, biotechnology, and agriculture. The CRISPR-Cas system is used for correcting genetic defects, modifying disease-causing genes, and engineering crops with enhanced characteristics.