Research
Important Discoveries in Gene Editing
The papers that changed what was possible, each summarised and linked to the original.
How this list is built
Eleven papers, from the first recognition of what CRISPR was for to the first patients treated with prime editing. Each entry explains what changed and links to the original publication.
| # | Entry | Category | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A programmable dual-RNA-guided DNA endonuclease in adaptive bacterial immunity The paper that turned CRISPR from a curiosity of bacterial immunity into a programmable… | Foundational | |
| 2 | Multiplex genome engineering using CRISPR/Cas systems One of the two January 2013 papers showing that CRISPR works inside human cells. | Foundational | |
| 3 | RNA-guided human genome engineering via Cas9 The companion January 2013 paper from George Church's laboratory, published the same day. | Foundational | |
| 4 | Programmable editing of a target base in genomic DNA without double-stranded DNA cleavage The paper that introduced base editing — chemistry instead of cutting. | Method | |
| 5 | Search-and-replace genome editing without double-strand breaks or donor DNA The paper introducing prime editing — writing new sequence directly into the genome. | Method | |
| 6 | CRISPR provides acquired resistance against viruses in prokaryotes The experiment, performed at a yogurt company, that proved CRISPR is a bacterial immune… | Foundational | |
| 7 | CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing for sickle cell disease and β-thalassemia The first published clinical results showing CRISPR editing produced benefit in patients. | Clinical | |
| 8 | CRISPR-Cas9 in vivo gene editing for transthyretin amyloidosis The first report of CRISPR administered into a human bloodstream to edit a gene inside… | Clinical | |
| 9 | Patient-specific in vivo gene editing to treat a rare genetic disease The first gene-editing medicine designed and manufactured for a single patient. | Clinical | |
| 10 | Prime editing for p47phox-deficient chronic granulomatous disease The first published evidence that prime editing works in human patients. | Clinical | |
| 11 | Intervening sequences of regularly spaced prokaryotic repeats derive from foreign genetic elements The insight that CRISPR spacers come from viruses — the origin of the whole field. | Foundational |
What this list does not tell youA curated selection, not a systematic review. We summarise and link; we do not reproduce copyrighted articles.