Skip to main content

How CRISPR lets you edit DNA - Andrea M. Henle

1,516,282 Views

33,222 Questions Answered

TEDEd Animation

Let’s Begin…

From the smallest single-celled organism to the largest creatures on Earth, every living thing is defined by its genes. With recent advancements, scientists can change an organism’s fundamental features in record time using gene editing tools such as CRISPR. But where did this medical marvel come from and how does it work? Andrea M. Henle examines the science behind this new technology.

Explain why a geneticist in a research laboratory would want to use CRISPR to turn off the function of a gene.

Sign in to answer question

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Andrea M. Henle
  • Director Adam Wells
  • Narrator Susan Zimmerman
  • Animator Adam Wells
  • Composer Chris Reed
  • Content Producer Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Producer Alex Rosenthal
  • Associate Producer Bethany Cutmore-Scott
  • Associate Editorial Producer Dan Kwartler
  • Script Editor Eleanor Nelsen
  • Fact-Checker Francisco Diez

More from Inventions that Shape History