Following the discovery of Cas13d, an enzyme that cuts RNA instead of DNA, researcher Dmitry Lyumkis from Helmsley Center for Genomic Medicine and colleagues report on the structure of the enzyme in Cell.

In the study, the researchers use cryo-electron microscopy to investigate the structure and activities of Cas13d. They froze the enzyme and captured its structure singly, with the guide RNA, and with the guide and target RNAs. Results revealed implication of various conformation on RNA targeting and recognition. The study is a major aid in designing strategies for transcriptomic engineering in the future.

For more information, read the article in Cell.