Cas9 technology operates through a simple yet powerful mechanism. The Cas9 enzyme is guided by a short RNA sequence called guide RNA (gRNA) to a complementary sequence in the genome. Once it binds to the target DNA, Cas9 creates a double-stranded break. The cell's natural repair mechanisms, namely non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) or homology-directed repair (HDR), then mend the break, allowing for the introduction of specific genetic modifications.
