Question
4. Why is the cell's DNA repair mechanism a critical part of the gene editing process? __
Answer
4.6
(210 Votes)
Maria
Master · Tutor for 5 years
Answer
The cell's DNA repair mechanism is a critical part of the gene editing process because it facilitates the precise incorporation or modification of genetic material post-edits, with mechanisms like NHEJ and HDR playing key roles in determining the outcomes of gene editing techniques such as CRISPR-Cas9.
Explanation
The cell's DNA repair mechanism is crucial in the gene editing process because it determines how the edited DNA is recombined and restored within the genome. One common gene editing technique, CRISPR-Cas9, relies on creating double-strand breaks in DNA. The cell's natural repair processes, namely Non-Homologous End Joining (NHEJ) and Homology-Directed Repair (HDR), are then employed to fix these breaks. NHEJ can lead to random insertions or deletions, potentially disrupting the target gene's function. In contrast, HDR can copy a provided DNA template into the break site, enabling precise genome alterations. Thus, understanding and manipulating the DNA repair mechanism is vital for achieving accurate and desired gene edits.