Connecting genotypes, phenotypes and fitness: harnessing the power of CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing

• Published in: Molecular ecology Vol. 24; no. 15; pp. 3810 - 3822
• Main Authors: Bono, Jeremy M., Olesnicky, Eugenia C., Matzkin, Luciano M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.08.2015
• Subjects: Biological Evolution; CRISPR-Cas Systems; Ecology; Ecology - methods; Evolutionary biology; Gene Knockout Techniques; Genetic Engineering - methods; Genetic Fitness; genetic manipulation; Genetic Vectors; genetics of adaptation; Genomes; Genotype; Genotype & phenotype; Organisms, Genetically Modified; Phenotype; reverse genetics; RNA interference; reverse genetics; RNA interference; genetic manipulation; genetics of adaptation
• ISSN: 0962-1083; 1365-294X
• DOI: 10.1111/mec.13252

One of the fundamental goals in evolution and ecology is to identify the genetic basis of adaptive phenotypes. Unfortunately, progress towards this goal has been hampered by a lack of genetic tools available for nonmodel organisms. The exciting new development of the CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat)/Cas9 (CRISPR‐associated nuclease 9) genome‐editing system now promises to transform the field of molecular ecology by providing a versatile toolkit for manipulating the genome of a wide variety of organisms. Here, we review the numerous applications of this groundbreaking technology and provide a practical guide to the creation of genetic knockouts, transgenics and other related forms of gene manipulation in nonmodel organisms. We also specifically discuss the potential uses of the CRISPR/Cas9 system in ecological and evolutionary studies, which will further advance the field towards the long‐standing goal of connecting genotypes, phenotypes and fitness.