title: Engineering nucleases for gene targeting: safety and regulatory considerations.
abstract: Nuclease-based gene targeting (NBGT) represents a significant breakthrough in targeted genome editing since it is applicable from single-celled protozoa to human, including several species of economic importance. Along with the fast progress in NBGT and the increasing availability of customized nucleases, more data are available about off-target effects associated with the use of this approach. We discuss how NBGT may offer a new perspective for genetic modification, we address some aspects crucial for a safety improvement of the corresponding techniques and we also briefly relate the use of NBGT applications and products to the regulatory oversight.
authors.affiliation: Scientific Institute of Public Health, Biosafety and Biotechnology Unit, J. Wytsmanstraat 14, Brussels B-1050, Belgium. Electronic address: katia.pauwels@wiv-isp.be.
authors.forename: Katia
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pauwels
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Podevin
authors.forename: Didier
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Breyer
authors.forename: Dana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Carroll
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Herman
mesh_terms: D003851:Deoxyribonucleases; D018390:Gene Targeting; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D012449:Safety / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000592:standards
chemical_list: D003851:Deoxyribonucleases