Two Hands Make Light Work of Gene Modification

Abstract

The full power of gene modification in higher eukaryotes, including its potential to correct disease-causing mutations, has so far been limited by its low efficiency. Now that power looks set to be released through the use of customized endonuclease "hands," DNA-binding zinc fingers linked to nuclease "thumbs," capable of grasping and cutting any chosen genomic target locus. Once cleaved, the target locus is efficiently repaired by endogenous mechanisms, using an exogenous DNA template that carries the chosen modification. These helping hands are likely to touch many areas of biological and clinical endeavor.