CRISPR-Mediated Gene Editing in Animal Models: From Knockout Generation to Functional Genomic Characterisation

CRISPR-based genome editing has transformed the generation of animal models, making it possible to produce precise, targeted gene knockouts, knock-ins, and complex genomic modifications across a growing range of species with unprecedented speed and efficiency. These models remain foundational tools for dissecting gene function, mapping genetic networks, and understanding the molecular basis of phenotype, yet the path from editing strategy to a fully characterised, reliable model still presents significant technical and analytical challenges.This Research Topic welcomes contributions spanning the full pipeline of CRISPR-mediated animal model development: from guide RNA design and delivery strategies, to embryo or germline editing techniques, to the downstream functional genomic characterisation needed to validate and interpret the resulting models. We are particularly interested in work that advances editing efficiency and specificity, addresses off-target detection and mosaicism, or introduces novel approaches for phenotypic and functional genomic profiling of edited animals.We invite submissions covering (but not limited to):Design and optimisation of CRISPR/Cas systems for knockout, knock-in, or conditional allele generation in animal models. Strategies for improving editing efficiency, specificity, and germline transmission across model organisms. Methods for detecting and mitigating off-target effects, mosaicism, and unintended genomic alterations. Functional genomic characterisation approaches, including transcriptomics, proteomics, and phenotyping pipelines, applied to validate edited models. Comparative or cross-species perspectives on CRISPR editing workflows. Novel or emerging animal model systems enabled by advances in gene editing technology.Original Research, Methods, Reviews, and Perspective articles are all welcome. By bringing together methodological advances and functional validation approaches in one collection, this Research Topic aims to give researchers a practical, up-to-date reference for building and characterising the next generation of CRISPR-engineered animal models. Topic editors: Noor Bahadar, YANG CHEN Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/85119/crispr-mediated-gene-editing-in-animal-models-from-knockout-generation-to-functional-genomic-characterisation