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From CRISPR to Jumping Genes: The Next Breakthrough in Genetic Science

Writer's picture: The Rare360 Editorial TeamThe Rare360 Editorial Team

Updated: Oct 14, 2024

An artistic depiction of DNA strands floating through a space that represents jumping gene

CRISPR has revolutionized gene editing over the last decade, giving scientists a powerful tool to tackle genetic diseases. From its initial discovery in bacteria, CRISPR has quickly become a game-changer, offering hope to people with conditions caused by genetic mutations. While this tool is already helping patients, researchers are still searching for ways to make it even more precise and safe. And now, they may be on the brink of a new breakthrough.


Recent studies suggest that CRISPR’s next evolution might come from something called "jumping genes." These tiny bits of genetic material can hop around within genomes, offering new possibilities for editing DNA—potentially without the limitations CRISPR currently has. If this new system can be adapted to human cells, it could open up a whole new frontier in gene editing.


Jumping Genes: A New Tool in Gene Editing

Two research papers, one from scientists at the Arc Institute and another from a team at the University of Sydney, point to an exciting discovery—an advanced gene-editing tool hidden in bacterial “jumping genes.” Unlike CRISPR, which cuts DNA to make changes, jumping genes can move pieces of DNA without causing breaks, which is a big advantage.


Jumping genes have long been known to cut and paste their DNA within genomes, and sometimes even transfer between organisms. But until now, they haven't been programmed like CRISPR. These new studies reveal how scientists may soon control jumping genes to cut, paste, and even flip any DNA sequence—all without the unpredictability that comes with breaking DNA strands.


What Makes Jumping Genes So Promising?

Unlike CRISPR, which relies on cutting DNA and waiting for the cell to repair it (a process that can lead to mistakes), jumping genes perform their edits without causing breaks. This could make the process safer and more predictable. Researchers are calling this method "bridge editing" or "seekRNA," and it might just be the key to creating more accurate gene-editing tools.


Another major benefit is that jumping genes use smaller, simpler molecules compared to CRISPR’s larger machinery. This could make it easier to deliver the gene-editing tools into human cells—similar to how lipid nanoparticles were used in COVID-19 vaccines. It also means that the system can handle longer sequences of DNA, making it more versatile.


How CRISPR Changed the Game

CRISPR was first discovered in bacteria, where it acts like a pair of molecular "scissors" that chop up viral DNA to protect against infections. Scientists figured out how to re-engineer this system so that it could target and cut any DNA sequence, even in humans. This opened up a whole world of possibilities for treating genetic diseases.


In fact, CRISPR has already made its way into clinical trials, and in 2022, it received its first approval to treat sickle cell disease and beta-thalassemia. However, CRISPR isn’t perfect. Since it works by breaking DNA, there’s always a chance the cell’s repair process could introduce errors. Plus, CRISPR is best suited for short stretches of DNA, which limits its use in more complex genetic conditions.


Scientists have made progress in refining CRISPR, developing versions that are more precise and less likely to cause unintended damage. However the discovery of jumping genes offers a fresh approach that could overcome some of CRISPR’s limitations.


The Potential of Jumping Genes

The Arc Institute’s research focused on a specific type of jumping gene in bacteria, known as IS110. They found that this gene uses RNA as a guide, similar to how CRISPR works. However, instead of cutting DNA, IS110 can insert itself into a new location without causing any damage. Even more exciting, the researchers discovered that the RNA guiding this process can be reprogrammed, allowing scientists to control where the gene moves and what DNA it adds.

In their experiments, the team successfully inserted a DNA sequence nearly 5,000 base pairs long into bacteria, and even flipped another section of DNA. This flexibility could make jumping genes a valuable tool for editing longer stretches of DNA, a task that CRISPR struggles with.


Another study from the University of Sydney explored a similar system, known as IS111, which they call “seekRNA.” Both systems rely on smaller proteins, making them easier to package and deliver into cells. This is key for potential medical applications, where the ability to safely deliver gene-editing tools into the body is crucial.


Challenges and What’s Next

Although jumping genes hold great promise, they’ve only been tested in bacteria so far. The next big challenge is figuring out if they can work in human cells. CRISPR took years to develop before it was ready for human use, and jumping genes could follow a similar path. Researchers are optimistic, but it’s still early days.


Scientists at the University of Tokyo caution that jumping gene systems like IS110 haven’t yet been shown to work in complex cells like ours. Adapting them for human use could be difficult, but if it’s possible, jumping genes could provide a safer and more effective way to edit genes.


The Future of Gene Editing

The discovery of programmable jumping genes is a reminder that there’s still much to explore in the world of genetics. While CRISPR opened the door to gene editing, these new tools could take us further by offering more precise and less risky ways to modify DNA. If scientists can adapt jumping genes to work in human cells, the future of gene therapy could look very different.


For now, researchers are focused on fine-tuning these systems and exploring their potential in synthetic biology—a field that aims to re-engineer life itself. The possibilities are vast, from treating genetic diseases to designing entirely new forms of life at the molecular level. As we look to the future, the next breakthrough in gene editing could be just around the corner.


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