Researchers from Pusan National University have successfully developed a web-based tool that can predict potential side effects of gene editing technologies by considering individual DNA variations. This breakthrough is expected to accelerate personalized gene therapy with minimized side effects.

The research team led by Professor Jeongbin Park from the School of Biomedical Convergence Engineering at Pusan National University, in collaboration with Professor Hye-Ran Kim from the Department of Life Sciences at Kangwon National University, has developed a web-based tool called "Variant-aware Cas-OFFinder."

This novel tool creates personalized DNA maps by analyzing individual genomic data, then identifies both the precise locations where genome editors will function correctly and potential sites where unexpected side effects might occur. The tool overcomes limitations of existing technologies that only analyze standard genomes without reflecting individual differences.

The tool's effectiveness was validated through tests on human genomes and pepper varieties, successfully identifying unique off-target patterns specific to individual DNA differences that couldn't be detected with conventional tools.

Professor Park described the tool as a "customized navigation system for genome editors" that guides safe locations based on individual DNA characteristics, reducing side effects while enhancing the effectiveness of gene therapy.

Co-first authors Abyot Melkamu Mekonnen (doctoral student) and Kang Sung (formerly undergraduate, now master's student at KAIST) expressed satisfaction that their technology could provide practical assistance in editing individual genes.

* Reference

- Authors (Pusan National University): 

  Abyot Melkamu Mekonnen (Department of Information Convergence Engineering) 

  Seong Kang (School of Biomedical Convergence Engineering) 

  Jeongbin Park (School of Biomedical Convergence Engineering) 

- Title of original paper: Variant-aware Cas-OFFinder: web-based in silico variant-aware potential off-target site identification for genome editing applications

- Journal: Nucleic Acides Research

- Web link: https://doi.org/10.1093/nar/gkaf389  

- Contact e-mail: jeongbin.park@pusan.ac.kr