CRISPR in Parasitology: Not Exactly Cut and Dried

• Published in: Trends in parasitology Vol. 35; no. 6; pp. 409 - 422
• Main Authors: Bryant, Jessica M., Baumgarten, Sebastian, Glover, Lucy, Hutchinson, Sebastian, Rachidi, Najma
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.06.2019; Elsevier
• Subjects: Animals; Anopheles; Biotechnology; Congresses as Topic; CRISPR; CRISPR-Cas Systems; CRISPRi; gene editing; Humans; Leishmania; Life Sciences; Microbiology and Parasitology; Parasites; Parasites - genetics; Parasitology; Parasitology - trends; Plasmodium; Research - trends; Trypanosoma; CRISPR; Plasmodium; Anopheles; Trypanosoma; CRISPRi; Leishmania
• ISSN: 1471-4922; 1471-5007; 1471-5007
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2019.03.004

CRISPR/Cas9 technology has been developing rapidly in the field of parasitology, allowing for the dissection of molecular processes with unprecedented efficiency. Optimization and implementation of a new technology like CRISPR, especially in nonmodel organisms, requires communication and collaboration throughout the field. Recently, a ‘CRISPR in Parasitology’ symposium was held at the Institut Pasteur Paris, bringing together scientists studying Leishmania, Plasmodium, Trypanosoma, and Anopheles. Here we share technological advances and challenges in using CRISPR/Cas9 in the parasite and vector systems that were discussed. As CRISPR/Cas9 continues to be applied to diverse parasite systems, the community should now focus on improvement and standardization of the technique as well as expanding the CRISPR toolkit to include Cas9 alternatives/derivatives for more advanced applications like genome-wide functional screens. CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technology has greatly advanced functional studies in parasites such as Leishmania, Plasmodium, and Trypanosoma, and insect vectors, including Anopheles. In Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium yoelii, alternative CRISPR-based technologies such as CRISPRi can modulate gene expression in the absence of genome editing. In Leishmania major, Leishmania donovani, and Leishmania mexicana, a streamlined and highly efficient CRISPR/Cas9 system makes high-throughput mutant screens possible. In Trypanosoma brucei, CRISPR/Cas9 makes highly efficient marker-free gene editing possible. In Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles stephensi, CRISPR/Cas9-based gene drive systems show promise in advancing population suppression and replacement efforts.