By Kristin Houser – Freethink
It could lead to new cancer treatments, better diagnostics tests, and more.
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A unique CRISPR system that destroys infected cells is unlike anything scientists have ever seen before — and it could revolutionize how we use the powerful gene editing technology in the future.
CRISPR 101: While bacteria can infect humans, they can also be infected — a virus can inject its DNA in a bacterial cell and then use the cell like a virus factory, creating more and more copies of itself inside the cell until it bursts.
Just like we have an immune system to protect us against infections, some bacteria have a defense system called CRISPR.