GlowCas9 Breakthrough Enables Real-Time Tracking Of Gene Editing

A team of scientists at the Bose Institute, Kolkata, has engineered a glowing CRISPR protein that allows real-time observation of genome editing inside living cells. The innovation, named GlowCas9, marks a major advance in the field of gene therapy, where visualising gene-editing machinery has long been a scientific challenge.

Limitations Of Traditional CRISPR Monitoring

CRISPR-Cas9 technology revolutionised gene correction by enabling precise DNA cutting and repair. However, researchers could not observe Cas9 activity as it occurred because existing detection methods required cell fixation or destruction. This prevented real-time tracking of editing events, limiting understanding of how the molecular machinery behaves within living systems.

Design And Function Of GlowCas9

The new system fuses Cas9 with a split nano-luciferase enzyme derived from deep-sea shrimp proteins. When Cas9 folds correctly, the luciferase fragments reunite and emit light, creating a built-in indicator of gene-editing activity. The resulting bioluminescent response enables monitoring of CRISPR operations in living cells, tissues and even plant leaves without causing harm.

Advantages For Gene Therapy And Precision Editing

GlowCas9 demonstrates greater thermal stability than conventional enzymes, an important attribute for therapeutic applications where sustained enzyme performance is critical. The system also enhances homology-directed repair, the pathway responsible for correcting inherited mutations linked to diseases such as sickle cell anaemia and muscular dystrophy. The researchers showcased its precision by inserting a programmed DNA sequence corresponding to “ACHARYA” into a genome.

Exam Oriented Facts

• GlowCas9 is a bioluminescent CRISPR protein engineered at the Bose Institute.
• It uses split nano-luciferase fragments that emit light when Cas9 activates.
• The system improves thermal stability and boosts homology-directed repair.
• Published in “Angewandte Chemie International Edition” in 2025.

Implications For Theratracking And Future Research

By merging gene editing with real-time visual output, GlowCas9 inaugurates the field of “theratracking”, enabling scientists to watch therapeutic gene correction as it unfolds. Its ability to function in plant systems also hints at non-transgenic pathways for crop improvement. The development represents a step toward safer, more precise gene therapies where molecular processes can be monitored continuously within living organisms.