1
The prime editor contains an engineered protein that guides it to its target. On arrival, the editor uses an enzyme called cas9 to nick one strand of the DNA
Guide molecule
Cas9
Target DNA
2
The prime editor then churns out fresh DNA to be inserted at the site
Original DNA
strand removed
Fresh DNA inserted
3
Another guide protein then directs the prime editor to nick the unedited DNA strand
Unedited DNA strand is nicked
4
The cell repairs the nick by copying the edited strand, completing the edit
Fully edited DNA
1
2
The prime editor contains an engineered protein that guides it to its target. On arrival, the editor uses an enzyme called cas9 to nick one strand of the DNA
The prime editor then churns out fresh DNA to be inserted at the site
Original DNA
strand removed
Guide molecule
Cas9
Target DNA
Fresh DNA inserted
3
4
Another guide protein then directs the prime editor to nick the unedited DNA strand
The cell repairs the nick by copying the edited strand, completing the edit
Unedited DNA strand is nicked
Fully edited DNA