It takes two to tango with CRISPR: a history and overview of augmenting the technology for genetic engineering

The revolutionary CRISPR genome editing system has undoubtedly reshaped the landscape of molecular biology and biotechnology. While CRISPR offers unprecedented precision and versatility, its intrinsic efficiency has been a subject of ongoing exploration and refinement. Recent years have witnessed a growing focus on harnessing the power of CRISPR in synergy with complementary techniques such as nanoparticles, liposomes, genetic engineering methods viz. Cre-loxP, FRT, RNA interference, AAVS1 etc. to substantially enhance gene editing capabilities. The current study aims to shed light on the innovative approaches and strategies that have emerged to bolster CRISPR’s efficiency through synergistic partnerships with other molecular tools. We describe the advantages, and potential challenges associated with these collaborative approaches. Additionally, we highlight recent breakthroughs and promising applications that have arisen from the amalgamation of CRISPR with these techniques. The augmentation of CRISPR through these synergistic partnerships not only addresses efficiency concerns but also opens new horizons for the precise manipulation of the genome, fostering exciting prospects in basic research and therapeutic interventions.