CRISPR/Cas is a recently described defense system that protects bacteria and archaea against invasion by mobile genetic elements such as viruses and plasmids. A wide spectrum of distinct CRISPR/Cas systems has been identified in at least half of the available prokaryotic genomes. On-going structural and functional analyses have resulted in a far greater insight into the functions and possible applications of these systems, although many secrets remain to be discovered.

In this book, experts summarize the state of the art in this exciting field.

Discovery and seminal developments in the CRISPR field

Occurrence, diversity of CRISPR-Cas systems and genotyping implications
Evolution and classification of CRISPR-Cas systems and Cas protein families
Regulation of CRISPR-based immune responses
crRNA Biogenesis
Distribution and mechanism of the Type I CRISPR/Cas Systems
Type II - Streptococcus thermophilus
Type III CRISPR-Cas Systems and the Roles CRISPR-Cas in Bacterial Virulence
CRISPR-Cas Systems to Probe Ecological Diversity and Host-Viral Interactions
Roles of CRISPR in regulation of physiological processes
Applications of the versatile CRISPR-Cas systems
CRISPRs in microbial community context.