Next generation CRISPR technology for programmed cell death. Focused on developing therapies for infectious disease and the m ... icrobiome. Locus Biosciences’ novel approach to precision antimicrobials works by taking advantage of a part of an immune system present in many bacteria called the CRISPR-Cas system. The CRISPR-Cas system protects bacteria from invaders such as viruses by creating small strands of RNA called CRISPR RNAs, which match DNA sequences specific to a given invader. When the CRISPR RNAs find a match, they activate Cas proteins that cut the DNA. Locus Biosciences has developed a platform to design and deliver custom CRISPR-Cas systems directly to specific bacteria. Guided by the custom Locus Bio CRISPRs, the Type-I Cas proteins work to destroy bacterial DNA and cause the bacterial targets to “self-destruct”. Locus’ platform enables the development of antimicrobials which avoid currently known resistance mechanisms while leaving non-target bacteria unharmed. Built on prokaryotic technology for prokaryotic targets, Locus is advancing its platform to create therapeutics for critical-need therapeutic areas ranging from resistant bacterial infections to the microbiome. read more