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CRISPR-Cas9 is a powerful genome editing tool that allows for precise, targeted modifications to DNA sequences. It functions by utilizing the natural defense mechanisms of bacteria, which use CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) arrays to recognize and cleave foreign DNA. By introducing a guide RNA that is complementary to a specific target sequence in the genome, the Cas9 endonuclease can be directed to introduce a double-stranded break at that location. This break can then be repaired through one of several cellular mechanisms, resulting in insertions, deletions, or point mutations at the targeted site. In the context of gene expression, CRISPR-Cas9 can be used to modulate the activity of specific genes by introducing precise changes to their regulatory regions. For example, it can be used to knock out a gene by introducing frameshift mutations that disrupt its coding sequence, or to activate or repress gene expression by targeting transcriptional activators or repressors. CRISPR-Cas9 represents a significant advance in the field of genome editing, as it offers a level of precision and efficiency that was previously unattainable. Its potential applications extend across a wide range of fields, from basic research to therapeutic development, making it an exciting area of ongoing investigation in the realm of genetics and molecular biology.