Unveiling the invisible genomic dynamics

Abstract CRISPR-based imaging technologies have emerged as powerful tools for visualizing specific genomic loci, providing groundbreaking insights into chromatin structure and dynamics. Here, in this Review, we discuss the development and recent advances in these techniques, highlighting key strateg...

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Main Authors: Jiwoong Kwon, Yeji Park, Taekjip Ha
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Publishing Group 2025-07-01
Series:Experimental and Molecular Medicine
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s12276-025-01434-z
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author Jiwoong Kwon
Yeji Park
Taekjip Ha
author_facet Jiwoong Kwon
Yeji Park
Taekjip Ha
author_sort Jiwoong Kwon
collection DOAJ
description Abstract CRISPR-based imaging technologies have emerged as powerful tools for visualizing specific genomic loci, providing groundbreaking insights into chromatin structure and dynamics. Here, in this Review, we discuss the development and recent advances in these techniques, highlighting key strategies such as signal amplification, background reduction, multiplexing and enhanced genomic resolution. By engineering Cas proteins and guide RNAs, and incorporating peptide and aptamer tags, researchers have remarkably improved the sensitivity, specificity and resolution of CRISPR-based imaging, enabling the detection of nonrepetitive genomic regions and single-nucleotide polymorphisms. Recent studies have further pushed the boundaries of CRISPR-based imaging with the introduction of degron-mediated fluorogenic labeling and light-controllable background reduction. Despite remaining challenges, such as the bulkiness of signal amplification systems, limitations in guide RNA design and the effects of fixation on chromatin–protein interactions, CRISPR-based imaging holds great promise for advancing our understanding of chromatin dynamics, genomic interactions and their roles in various biological processes.
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spelling doaj-art-fa91b3958de34f6999c259675087d97f2025-08-20T04:01:47ZengNature Publishing GroupExperimental and Molecular Medicine2092-64132025-07-015771400140810.1038/s12276-025-01434-zUnveiling the invisible genomic dynamicsJiwoong Kwon0Yeji Park1Taekjip Ha2Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children’s HospitalProgram in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children’s HospitalProgram in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children’s HospitalAbstract CRISPR-based imaging technologies have emerged as powerful tools for visualizing specific genomic loci, providing groundbreaking insights into chromatin structure and dynamics. Here, in this Review, we discuss the development and recent advances in these techniques, highlighting key strategies such as signal amplification, background reduction, multiplexing and enhanced genomic resolution. By engineering Cas proteins and guide RNAs, and incorporating peptide and aptamer tags, researchers have remarkably improved the sensitivity, specificity and resolution of CRISPR-based imaging, enabling the detection of nonrepetitive genomic regions and single-nucleotide polymorphisms. Recent studies have further pushed the boundaries of CRISPR-based imaging with the introduction of degron-mediated fluorogenic labeling and light-controllable background reduction. Despite remaining challenges, such as the bulkiness of signal amplification systems, limitations in guide RNA design and the effects of fixation on chromatin–protein interactions, CRISPR-based imaging holds great promise for advancing our understanding of chromatin dynamics, genomic interactions and their roles in various biological processes.https://doi.org/10.1038/s12276-025-01434-z
spellingShingle Jiwoong Kwon
Yeji Park
Taekjip Ha
Unveiling the invisible genomic dynamics
Experimental and Molecular Medicine
title Unveiling the invisible genomic dynamics
title_full Unveiling the invisible genomic dynamics
title_fullStr Unveiling the invisible genomic dynamics
title_full_unstemmed Unveiling the invisible genomic dynamics
title_short Unveiling the invisible genomic dynamics
title_sort unveiling the invisible genomic dynamics
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s12276-025-01434-z
work_keys_str_mv AT jiwoongkwon unveilingtheinvisiblegenomicdynamics
AT yejipark unveilingtheinvisiblegenomicdynamics
AT taekjipha unveilingtheinvisiblegenomicdynamics