Title:Big Data and Genome Editing Technology: A New Paradigm of Cardiovascular Genomics
Volume: 13
Issue: 4
Author(s): Chayakrit Krittanawong*, Tao Sun and Eyal Herzog
Affiliation:
- Department of Internal Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1000 10th Ave, New York, NY 10019,United States
Keywords:
Genome editing technology, genome, genome engineering, GWAS, genome-wide association studies.
Abstract: Opinion Statements: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) encompass a range of conditions
extending from congenital heart disease to acute coronary syndrome most of which are heterogenous
in nature and some of them are multiple genetic loci. However, the pathogenesis of most
CVDs remains incompletely understood. The advance in genome-editing technologies, an engineering
process of DNA sequences at precise genomic locations, has enabled a new paradigm that human
genome can be precisely modified to achieve a therapeutic effect. Genome-editing includes the
correction of genetic variants that cause disease, the addition of therapeutic genes to specific sites
in the genomic locations, and the removal of deleterious genes or genome sequences. Site-specific
genome engineering can be used as nucleases (known as molecular scissors) including zinc finger
nucleases (ZFNs), transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs), and the clustered regularly
interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated 9 (Cas9) systems to provide
remarkable opportunities for developing novel therapies in cardiovascular clinical care. Here
we discuss genetic polymorphisms and mechanistic insights in CVDs with an emphasis on the impact
of genome-editing technologies. The current challenges and future prospects for genomeediting
technologies in cardiovascular medicine are also discussed.
