Jornal de Genômica Clínica e Médica

Genome Editing in Ciliates When Cleaning Facilitates Cluttering

Abstract

Yibin Kong

Ciliates are a diverse group of unicellular eukaryotic organisms that are characterized by the presence of cilia or flagella, which are used for motility and feeding. Ciliates are found in a wide range of environments, including freshwater, marine, and soil habitats, and are important players in ecological processes such as nutrient cycling and food webs. Ciliates are also important model organisms for studying a variety of biological processes, including genome evolution and gene regulation. One of the unique features of ciliates is their complex genome structure, which includes the presence of numerous transposable elements, gene rearrangements, and alternative splicing events. These complex genome structures have made ciliates an attractive system for studying genome evolution and regulation. Genome editing, the ability to modify specific genes or sequences within a genome, has revolutionized the study of gene function and regulation. Genome editing has been used extensively in a wide range of organisms, including bacteria, yeast, plants, and animals. The CRISPR/Cas system, which enables targeted genome editing, has emerged as a powerful tool for genetic manipulation in a variety of organisms.