CRISPR/Cas-Mediated Genome Editing in Viral Research
A special issue of Viruses (ISSN 1999-4915). This special issue belongs to the section "General Virology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2026 | Viewed by 1208
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
CRISPR/Cas technologies have revolutionized virology by providing precise, programmable tools that accelerate fundamental discovery and translational applications. In viral genome editing, CRISPR systems enable the targeted modification of DNA viruses and proviral sequences, facilitating the functional dissection of viral genes, the generation of attenuated strains, and the engineering of viral vectors for vaccines and gene delivery. Genome-wide CRISPR knockout, activation, and interference screens have likewise transformed host–pathogen research: unbiased screens identify proviral and antiviral host factors, map entry and replication pathways, and reveal novel therapeutic targets with unprecedented throughput and resolution. Beyond editing, CRISPR-based diagnostics—particularly collateral cleavage systems like Cas12 and Cas13—offer rapid, sensitive, and field-deployable detection of viral RNA or DNA, reshaping outbreak response and point-of-care testing. Finally, CRISPR is emerging as a direct antiviral modality: sequence-specific nucleases can selectively disrupt viral genomes or transcripts, suppress latent infections, and potentially clear reservoirs when coupled with delivery strategies. Together, these capabilities make CRISPR/Cas a versatile platform that spans basic virology, diagnostics, and therapeutic development. This Special Issue highlights advances and challenges in leveraging CRISPR tools responsibly and effectively to deepen our understanding of viruses and to innovate next-generation antiviral strategies.
Dr. Kit San Yuen
Guest Editor
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Keywords
- CRISPR–Cas systems
- viral genome engineering
- antiviral gene therapy
- host factor discovery (proviral and antiviral)
- CRISPR-based diagnostics
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