So it cuts the genomes out, does it keep the cells alive while doing so? I heard that CRISPR/Cas9 doesn't rejoin the dna it cuts. I'm new to this and would love to know from someone more knowledgeable about this.
Cells are always poised to repair DNA breaks. For example: over your lifetime, your cells will have repaired thousands of DNA breaks due to gamma radiation. The breaks due to CRISPR/Cas9 are similar to the breaks caused by gamma radiation and likely to be repaired very rapidly. If the DNA break is not resolved, there are other biochemical pathways to lead to apoptosis (programmed cell suicide).
jameskraus|10 years ago