Harnessing induced pluripotent stem cells and organoids for disease modeling and precision medicine

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Authors: Chang-Jin Lee, Yoojun Nam, Yeri Alice Rim, JH Ju
Cited by: 6
References: 108

Abstract

The convergence of CRISPR genome editing, patient-derived organoids, and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) has reshaped in vitro disease modeling by enabling mechanistic investigations of human pathophysiology within genetically matched, tissue-relevant systems. Together, these technologies provide a synergistic platform for precise manipulation of disease-associated variants and support the generation of isogenic organoid models that reproduce key phenotypic and functional hallmarks across cancer, neurodegenerative, inflammatory, and monogenic disorders. In this review, we highlight how diverse CRISPR modalities-including knock-out, knock-in, CRISPRa/i, and genome-scale screening-have been applied to dissect gene function, model disease progression, and guide therapeutic development using iPSC- and organoid-based systems. We further discuss the application of these platforms in genotype- and phenotype-driven precision medicine, enabling patient stratification, drug-response prediction, and individualized treatment design. We illustrate these convergent applications with representative case studies spanning mechanistic research and early clinical translation. By combining the scalability of genome engineering with the physiological fidelity of organoids, CRISPR-integrated platforms are redefining the frontiers of experimental medicine. These approaches accelerate the discovery of disease mechanisms and actionable therapeutic targets while establishing individualized clinical strategies for complex human diseases. Collectively, they position CRISPR-enabled organoid systems as a foundational infrastructure that bridges genome editing to individualized therapy and supports next-generation precision medicine.

Fields of Study & Subjects

CRISPR and Genetic Engineering Pluripotent Stem Cells Research Single-cell and spatial transcriptomics

Publication details

Journal / source
Stem Cell Research & Therapy
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Volume
17
Issue
1
Publication date
8 February 2026
Language
EN