They found that Cas9 could latch onto a DNA double helix, pry open the two strands to form a new helix between the CRISPR RNA and one strand of DNA, and then use two nuclease modules to simultaneously slice through both strands of the DNA, creating a double-strand break. Depending on the sequence of its associated RNA molecule, Cas9 could target and cut virtually any matching DNA sequence. In effect, the CRISPR RNA molecule acted like a set of GPS coordinates, guiding Cas9 to a precise spot within the vast expanse of a long DNA molecule according to the matching letters in the CRISPR RNA and
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