Chimeraplasty

A method designed to create defined alterations in DNA sequence at a target locus, with potential both for gene therapy and for investigating gene function. A synthetic nucleic acid that contains DNA interspersed with small amounts of RNA is introduced into the target cell, where it pairs with its target gene sequence and then triggers the cell's DNA repair machinery, resulting in the replacement of the native sequence by the synthetic one.

An experimental targeted repair process in which a desirable sequence of DNA is combined with RNA to form a chimeraplast. These molecules bind selectively to the target DNA. Once bound, the chimeraplast activates a naturally occurring gene-correcting mechanism. Does not use viral or other conventional gene-delivery vectors. See also: gene therapy, cloning vector