New Delhi | Dec 10,2025 | SKY LINK TIMES
Indian Scientists Create ‘GlowCas9’:
In a landmark scientific breakthrough, researchers at Kolkata’s Bose Institute have engineered GlowCas9 — a unique CRISPR protein that emits light while performing gene editing. Announced by the Ministry of Science and Technology, this innovation is set to transform treatments for genetic disorders and cancer by enabling scientists to watch gene editing unfold inside living cells for the first time.
Table of Contents
A New Era in Real-Time Genome Editing
CRISPR-Cas9, often described as a “molecular surgeon,” has revolutionised genetic engineering by enabling precise DNA cutting and correction. However, until now, scientists could only study Cas9 activity using techniques that required breaking open or fixing cells — making real-time observation impossible.Developed under the leadership of Dr. Basudeb Maji at the Bose Institute (an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology), the engineered protein glows inside cells during the gene-editing process, giving researchers unprecedented visual access to CRISPR activity.
How GlowCas9 Works: Light From Within the Cell
A Bioluminescent Fusion Inspired by Deep-Sea Life
Ph.D. researcher Arkadeep Karmakar designed GlowCas9 by fusing the Cas9 protein with pieces of split nano-luciferase — an enzyme derived from deep-sea shrimp proteins. These fragments do not function individually, but when Cas9 folds correctly, they reunite and produce a soft, firefly-like glow.
This light acts as a signal that gene-editing machinery is active, allowing scientists to track:
DNA cutting
Repair events
Genome rewriting operations
—all in live cells, tissues and even plant leaves, without damaging them.
The findings were published in the internationally renowned journal Angewandte Chemie International Edition.
Why GlowCas9 Matters for Gene Therapy
Boosting Precision & Stability
GlowCas9 exhibits several advantages over conventional Cas9:
Higher stability at elevated temperatures — vital for therapeutic delivery
Improved precision in homology-directed repair (HDR) — a key process for correcting hereditary mutations
Trackability in living systems — reducing risks and improving accuracy in therapeutic applications
The enhanced HDR efficiency is particularly significant for diseases such as:
Sickle cell anaemia
Muscular dystrophy
Other life-threatening hereditary conditions
With the ability to monitor Cas9 in real time, scientists can refine gene therapies, reduce off-target effects and accelerate clinical translation.
Also Read:https://skylinktimes.in/india-russia-ties-enter-new-technological-era/
Beyond Medicine: Implications for Agriculture
Researchers also demonstrated GlowCas9’s potential in plant systems, suggesting applications in safe, non-transgenic crop improvement — a major advantage for agricultural biotechnology.
A Major Leap for India’s Biotechnology Landscape
The Ministry of Science and Technology stated that gene therapy has long promised permanent cures for severe hereditary diseases, but challenges in safety and precision slowed progress. GlowCas9 represents a significant step forward in bridging that gap.
India’s innovation positions the country at the forefront of next-generation gene-editing technologies with global impact.
For More Info Stay Tuned: https://skylinktimes.in
