CRISPR evolved in bacteria as a defense mechanism against viral infections. But now researchers are turning the same weapon against bacteria themselves, hoping to defuse antibiotic resistance, which according to WHO is one of the biggest threats to global health.  

The paper published in Nature Communications by Thomas Hamilton et al. is a step forward in this direction. The team from Western University, in Canada, describes a specific and efficient system for altering the human microbiome with the help of CRISPR. Please see their paper and press-release to learn more.