Cms1 - a New Type V CRISPR Nuclease System

The application of CRISPR genome editing technology is limited by the availability of nucleases capable of generating targeted double strand breaks across target organisms. The discovery of new nucleases with unique chemistry or divergent PAM sites expands the options for genome editing. We have identified a new Type V CRISPR system from Microgenomates and Smithella bateria (Cms1) that are capable of genome editing in eukaryotic systems. The Cms1 nucleases were originally shown to function in planta and their functionality in other eukaryotic systems is currently being explored. These nucleases are capable of cutting at an AT rich PAM site and do not require a tracrRNA. Multiple Cms1 nucleases are being characterized at a biochemical level to identify the most applicable nucleases across diverse target systems.