The exploration and exploitation of CRISPR-Cas type III defence strategies

Summary

Just like humans, bacteria have immune systems to protect them against viruses that are called bacteriophages. The adaptive immune system of bacteria is called CRISPR-Cas, and our understanding of this system has shed a different light on how we see the bacteria:bacteriophage interaction. This thesis focusses on type III CRISPR-Cas systems in particular, which has various unique features that make it stand out from the other types of CRISPR-Cas systems. There are chapter that look into the fundamental (biochemical) workings of the system to better understand it’s mode of action. Furthermore, learnings regarding the inners working of the type III system has led to the development of various application, of which a diagnostic tool is an example.