Eukaryotes Unveil First Programmable RNA-Guided System

Researchers have discovered the first programmable RNA-guided system in eukaryotes, called Fanzor proteins, which use RNA as a guide to precisely target DNA. The Fanzor system has the potential to be a more easily deliverable and efficient genome editing tool compared to CRISPR/Cas systems. By reprogramming Fanzors, the researchers demonstrated their ability to edit the genome of human cells. Further improvements in targeting efficiency could make Fanzors a valuable technology for human genome editing. The study also highlights the presence of RNA-guided DNA-cutting mechanisms across all kingdoms of life.