The development of new CRISPR–Cas genome editing tools continues to drive major advances in the life sciences. Four classes of CRISPR–Cas-derived genome editing agents—nucleases, base editors, transposases/recombinases and prime editors—are currently available for modifying genomes in experimental systems. Some of these agents have also moved rapidly into the clinic. Each tool comes with its own capabilities and limitations, and major efforts have broadened their editing capabilities, expanded their targeting scope and improved editing specificity. We analyze key considerations when choosing genome editing agents and identify opportunities for future improvements and applications in basic research and therapeutics.

新型 CRISPR-Cas 基因组编辑工具的开发继续推动生命科学的重大进步。目前，有四类 CRISPR–Cas 衍生的基因组编辑剂——核酸酶、碱基编辑器、转座酶/重组酶和引物编辑器——可用于修改实验系统中的基因组。其中一些药物也已迅速进入临床。每个工具都有自己的功能和局限性，并且主要努力拓宽了它们的编辑功能，扩大了它们的目标范围并提高了编辑特异性。我们分析选择基因组编辑剂时的关键考虑因素，并确定基础研究和治疗学中未来改进和应用的机会。