This book serves as an introduction to targeted genome editing beginning with the background
of this rapidly developing field and methods for generation of engineered nucleases.
Applications of genome editing tools are then described in detail in iPS cells and diverse
organisms such as mice rats marine invertebrates fish frogs and plants. Tools that are
mentioned include zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs) transcription activator-like effector nucleases
(TALENs) and CRISPR Cas9 all of which have received much attention in recent years as
breakthrough technologies. Genome editing with engineered nucleases allows us to precisely
change the target genome of living cells and is a powerful way to control functional genes. It
is feasible in almost all organisms ranging from bacteria to plants and animals as well as in
cultured cells such as ES and iPS cells. Various genome modifications have proven successful
including gene knockout and knock-in experiments with targeting vectors and chromosomal
editing. Genome editing technologies hold great promise for the future for example in
biomedical research clinical medicine and generation of crops and livestock with desirable
traits. A wide range of readers will find this book interesting and with its focus on
applications in a variety of organisms and cells the book will be valuable for life scientists
in all fields.
