Genome Editing Technologies: Defining a Path to Clinic (2015)

Recently developed genomic editing technologies have the potential to be powerful tools for gene therapy because of their ability to inactivate genes, correct mutated sequences, or insert intact genes. While the genomic editing field is advancing at an exceptionally rapid pace, there remain key issues regarding development of appropriate preclinical assays to evaluate off-target effects and establish safety. In order to begin a dialogue on these issues, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Science Policy, in collaboration with several NIH-funded investigators and the NIH Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee, organized a workshop on 10 June 2014, in Bethesda, Maryland, to provide a forum to educate the scientific and oversight communities and the public on different genome editing technologies, clinical experiences to date, and the preclinical assays being developed to examine the precision of these tools and their suitability for clinical application. Targeted genome modification by designer nucleases is an emerging technology that can be used to investigate gene function and could also be used to treat genetic or acquired diseases. A wide range of genome alterations has been achieved by these nucleases, including localized mutagenesis, local and dispersed sequence replacements, large and small insertions and deletions, and even chromosomal translocations. The nuclease approach to targeted genome editing has been applied successfully to more than 50 different organisms, including crop plants, livestock, and humans.1Carroll D Genome engineering with targetable nucleases.Annu Rev Biochem. 2014; 83: 409-439Crossref PubMed Scopus (381) Google Scholar Recently developed genome editing technologies such as zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs), transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs), meganucleases, and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) are being investigated as promising tools for human gene therapy. 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