CRISPR-Cas9 has emerged as a revolutionary tool that enables precise and efficient modifications of the genetic material. This review provides a comprehensive overview of CRISPR-Cas9 technology and its applications in genome editing. We begin by describing the fundamental principles of CRISPR-Cas9 technology, explaining how the system utilizes a single guide RNA (sgRNA) to direct the Cas9 nuclease to specific DNA sequences in the genome, resulting in targeted double-stranded breaks. In this review, we provide in-depth explorations of CRISPR-Cas9 technology and its applications in agriculture, medicine, environmental sciences, fisheries, nanotechnology, bioinformatics, and biotechnology. We also highlight its potential, ongoing research, and the ethical considerations and controversies surrounding its use. This review might contribute to the understanding of CRISPR-Cas9 technology and its implications in various fields, paving the way for future developments and responsible applications of this transformative technology.

One approach for solving the problem of antibiotic resistance and bacterial persistence in biofilms is treatment with metals, including silver in the form of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Green synthesis is an environmentally friendly method to synthesize nanoparticles with a broad spectrum of unique properties that depend on the plant extracts used. AgNPs with antibacterial and antibiofilm effects were obtained using green synthesis from plant extracts of Lagerstroemia indica (AgNPs_LI), Alstonia scholaris (AgNPs_AS), and Aglaonema multifolium (AgNPs_AM). Nanoparticles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis. The ability to quench free radicals and total phenolic content in solution were also evaluated. The antibacterial activity of AgNPs was studied by growth curves as well as using a diffusion test on agar medium plates to determine minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs). The effect of AgNPs on bacterial biofilms was evaluated by crystal violet (CV) staining. Average minimum inhibitory concentrations of AgNPs_LI, AgNPs_AS, AgNPs_AM were 15 ± 5, 20 + 5, 20 + 5 μg/mL and 20 ± 5, 15 + 5, 15 + 5 μg/mL against Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria, respectively. The E. coli strain formed biofilms in the presence of AgNPs, a less dense biofilm than the S. aureus strain. The highest inhibitory and destructive effect on biofilms was exhibited by AgNPs prepared using an extract from L. indica.

Known as the causal factor of the recent global COVID-19 pandemic, any SARS-CoV-2 is not the only coronavirus that has constituted a menace to society and taken thousands of human lives. Two previous pandemics were also led by coronaviruses; such as the MERS-CoV in 2012 and another SARS-CoV in 2002. Only five months into existence, SARS-CoV-2 transmitted infection to approximately 75 million people and it has led to more than 1.5 million of deaths all over the world. Unfortunately, there has not been any specific treatment yet for COVID-19 yet and its control is purely empirical. The examinations of the parity between SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV, in terms of their genomics, origin, epidemiology, and pathogenesis, suggested that we may use the previous data of MERS-CoV or SARS-CoV as a guideline for uncovering the effective approach to strive against SARS-CoV-2. Various studies have reported the positive effects of numerous phytochemical compounds against SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. Interestingly, this idea has been emplyed for SARS-CoV-2, and in silico screening of phytochemical compounds has been performed for identifying the potential candidates for COVID-19 treatment. Curcumin is an example of a natural compound which was demonstrated as potent candidate contrary to SARS-CoV-2 protease derived from the in silico studies. Herein, the occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 and the aplication of alternative medicines for treating coronavirus diseases are briefly reviewed.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has become a worldwide pandemic. Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a rhizome, which is commonly used for culinary and medicinal purposes. In Indonesia, ginger is taken as traditional medicine by processing it into a drink known as jamu. The present study aimed to assess and evaluate the bioactive compounds in ginger that can be used in drug design for treating COVID-19. The crystal structure of the SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro) was generated from a protein sequence database, i.e., Protein Data Bank, and the bioactive compounds in ginger were derived from the existing compounds library. Mpro is involved in polyprotein synthesis, including viral maturation and nonstructural protein gluing, making it a potential antiviral target. Furthermore, the bioactive compounds in ginger were analyzed using Lipinski’s rule of five to determine their drug-like molecular properties. Moreover, molecular docking analysis was conducted using the Python Prescription 0.8 (Virtual Screening Tool) software, and the interaction between SARS-CoV-2 Mpro and the bioactive compounds in ginger was extensively examined using the PyMOL software. Out all of the 16 bioactive compounds that were docked successfully, 4-gingerol, which has the lowest binding energy against SARS-CoV-2 Mpro, as per the virtual screening results, was proven to have the most potential as a viral inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2