CRISPR

[ kris-per ]

noun

1. Biochemistry. a unique cluster of short, repeated DNA sequences found in bacterial genomes and capable of fighting viruses:

   CRISPR enables bacteria to integrate foreign DNA into their genome.

2. Genetics. the technology of targeting a DNA-detecting molecule to a specific genetic sequence for the purpose of editing a gene’s base pairs:

   The approach called CRISPR should speed up the process by allowing researchers to study the entire genome at once.

Word History and Origins

Origin of CRISPR¹

First recorded in 2000–05; acronym from C(lustered) R(egularly) I(nterspaced) S(hort) P(alindromic) R(epeats)

Example Sentences

His team uses a new gene-editing system known as CRISPR/Cas9.

From The Daily Beast