Microorganisms use the CRISPR-Cas system to fight viral attacks. In genetic engineering, the microbial immune system is used for the targeted modification of the genetic make-up. A research team has now discovered another function of this specialized genomic sequence: archaea—microorganisms that are often very similar to bacteria in appearance—also use them to fight parasites. The team, under the leadership of Professor Dr. Alexander Probst, microbiologist at the Research Center One Health Ruhr at the University of Duisburg-Essen (UDE), has now published its findings in Nature Microbiology.
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Source: Phys.org