Overview

• CRISPR-TO, an engineered CRISPR-Cas13 system, delivers RNA to precise subcellular locations, enabling targeted neuronal repair.
• In vitro experiments on mouse neurons showed RNA delivery to neurite tips, with one RNA promoting up to 50% neurite growth within 24 hours.
• The technology represents a paradigm shift from DNA editing to spatially precise RNA transport, forming the foundation of 'spatial RNA medicine.'
• Researchers are now screening additional RNA molecules in mouse and human neurons to identify candidates for treating ALS, spinal muscular atrophy, and spinal cord injuries.
• The findings, published in *Nature* on May 21, 2025, highlight the potential for CRISPR-TO to revolutionize therapies for neurodegenerative diseases and injuries.