Advances in genome editing through control of DNA repair pathways

Eukaryotic cells deploy overlapping repair pathways to resolve DNA damage. Advancements in genome editing take advantage of these pathways to produce permanent genetic changes. Despite recent improvements, genome editing can produce diverse outcomes that can introduce risks in clinical applications. Although homology-directed repair is attractive for its ability to encode precise edits, it is particularly difficult in human cells. Here we discuss the DNA repair pathways that underlie genome editing and strategies to favour various outcomes. Harnessing DNA repair pathways in genome editing In this Review, Yeh, Richardson and Corn discuss the DNA repair pathways that underlie genome editing and recent improvements and strategies to yield desired genomic alterations in cells and organisms.