# CRISPR Gene Editing That Turns Itself Off > This patent describes a CRISPR gene editing system that turns itself off after making a specific genetic change, using a second guide RNA to inactivate the editing enzyme. - **Patent:** US 11739322 - **Original title:** Method for genome editing using a self-inactivating CRISPR nuclease - **Owner:** Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology of CAS - **Granted:** 2023 - **Status:** Active - **Times cited:** 0 - **Field:** biotech, gene_editing, pharmaceutical, agriculture ## What it does This patent describes a genome editing system that precisely modifies a target gene and then deactivates itself. It uses three main parts: a first 'guide RNA' (gRNA) that directs a CRISPR nuclease to the specific gene needing modification, the CRISPR nuclease itself which performs the editing, and a second gRNA. This second gRNA is designed to target a sequence within the CRISPR nuclease's own genetic code. Once introduced into a cell, the nuclease first makes the desired changes to the target gene. Then, the second gRNA guides the nuclease to its own coding sequence, causing an 'inactivating mutation' that effectively breaks the nuclease, preventing it from making further, potentially unwanted, edits. For example, a scientist could use this system to correct a single faulty base in a gene, and then the editing tool would self-destruct. ## What it does NOT cover - Does not cover CRISPR systems that remain active indefinitely after making their intended genetic changes. - Does not cover gene editing systems that lack the specific 'second gRNA' designed to target and inactivate the CRISPR nuclease itself. - Does not cover systems where the inactivating mutation is not within the coding sequence of the CRISPR nuclease, as specified in claim 1. - Does not cover CRISPR nucleases that are not 'single-base editing' nucleases, as specified in claim 1. - Does not cover systems that do not use three separate expression constructs for the gRNAs and the CRISPR nuclease. ## The clever bit The clever part is using the CRISPR system's own mechanism to trigger its self-destruction. By designing a second guide RNA that targets the CRISPR nuclease's own genetic instructions, the system ensures that the editing tool is inactivated after it has completed its primary task, preventing prolonged activity. ## Real-world examples 1. Gene therapy research for inherited diseases 2. Developing disease-resistant crops 3. Basic biological research in cell lines 4. Precision medicine applications ## Why it matters CRISPR gene editing can sometimes make unintended changes (called off-target edits) or stay active for too long, which can be risky for therapies. This self-inactivating system helps solve these problems by ensuring the CRISPR tool only works for a short, controlled time. This increased precision and safety is crucial for developing gene therapies for human diseases and for making accurate genetic changes in agriculture. ## Frequently asked questions ### What does CRISPR Gene Editing That Turns Itself Off cover? This patent describes a CRISPR gene editing system that turns itself off after making a specific genetic change, using a second guide RNA to inactivate the editing enzyme. ### Who owns patent US 11739322? Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology of CAS owns this patent, granted in 2023. ### When does this patent expire? This patent is expected to expire on January 31, 2039, when the invention enters the public domain. ### What problem does this patent solve? CRISPR gene editing can sometimes make unintended changes (called off-target edits) or stay active for too long, which can be risky for therapies. This self-inactivating system helps solve these problems by ensuring the CRISPR tool only works for a short, controlled time. This increased precision and safety is crucial for developing gene therapies for human diseases and for making accurate genetic changes in agriculture. ### What does this patent NOT cover? Does not cover CRISPR systems that remain active indefinitely after making their intended genetic changes. **Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11739322/method-for-genome-editing-using-a-self-inactivating-crispr-nuclease **Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US11739322 --- _Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._ ## Related patents Semantically similar inventions in the PatentBrief corpus: - [How to Edit Genes in Human Cells Using an Engineered CRISPR System](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8697359/crispr-gene-editing) — This patent describes an engineered CRISPR-Cas9 system for precisely cutting DNA in eukaryotic cells to change how genes work, opening the door for gene editing in complex organisms. - [How CRISPR-Cas9 Uses RNA to Edit DNA](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10113167/methods-and-compositions-for-rna-directed-target-dna-modification-and-for-rna-directed-modulation-of-transcription) — This patent describes the fundamental mechanism of using a two-part RNA system to guide the Cas9 protein to specific locations in DNA for precise editing. - [How to Precisely Edit Genes Using Retron-Guide RNA Cassettes](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/20230383290/high-throughput-precision-genome-editing) — This patent describes a method for highly efficient and precise genome editing using a retron-guide RNA cassette to deliver large pieces of donor DNA into a cell's genetic material. - [How to Make Animals That Can Turn On CRISPR Gene Editing](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12252707/delivery-engineering-and-optimization-of-systems-methods-and-compositions-for-se) — This patent describes creating genetically modified non-human animals, like mice, where a key CRISPR gene-editing protein (Cas9) can be turned on only in specific cells or at specific times using a special genetic switch. - [How to Use Many CRISPR Guides to Study Many Genes at Once](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/20180305704/crispr-cas-component-systems-methods-and-compositions-for-sequence-manipulation) — This patent describes a method to use a large collection of CRISPR-Cas9 guide RNAs to target and modify many different genes or DNA regions across a population of eukaryotic cells, enabling high-throughput genetic screening.