---
title: "Prime Editing: CRISPR Gene-Editing Explained"
description: "Prime editing is a CRISPR tool that rewrites DNA without double-strand breaks, unlike base editing. Key UPSC GS3 biotech topic with named milestones since 2019."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/crispr-prime-editing"
---

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Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- Prime editing is a CRISPR-derived genome-editing technique that writes new genetic information directly into a target DNA site without creating double-strand breaks or requiring donor templates.
- How does prime editing differ from base editing?
- Why is prime editing considered safer than conventional CRISPR-Cas9?
- What is the relevance of prime editing for UPSC GS3?
- Has prime editing reached clinical use?

[Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services/glossary)Updated June 22, 2026

Prime editing is a CRISPR-derived genome-editing technique that writes new genetic information directly into a target DNA site without creating double-strand breaks or requiring donor templates.

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In October 2019, David Liu's laboratory at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard reported prime editing in Nature, demonstrating correction of the sickle-cell and Tay-Sachs disease mutations in human cells without double-strand breaks.

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