Advances in CRISPR-Cas9-Based Mitochondrial Gene Editing and Delivery Systems for Precision Medicine

The powerhouse of cells, mitochondria, play a crucial role in homeostasis, energy metabolism, apoptosis and stress response. Mitochondria possess a separate set of DNA (mtDNA), which is associated with a wide range of metabolic, degenerative and age-related disorders. The CRISPR-Cas 9 system revolutionised medicine with its discoveries in the nucleus; however, its application in mitochondria remains constrained due to the challenges of delivery, due to the double membrane and repair mechanisms, since mitochondria lack the conventional repair mechanisms, unlike the nucleus. These limitations directed CRISPR-independent and CRISPR-inspired strategies aiming at overcoming the hurdles. This chapter discusses the obstacles in achieving precise mitochondrial genome editing in order to shed light on new therapeutic possibilities.