US and UK researchers have developed a new technique that uses synthetic proteins to target and knock out (inactivate) individual genes quickly, simply and with a high degree of success.

The zinc-finger nucleases–synthetic versions of gene regulating transcription factors–can be used to cut into and inactivate a target gene in a very precise way, without affecting other nearby genes.

Currently, individual genes are targeted by homologous recombination, a process that is time consuming, inefficient, and complex–requiring the insertion of markers into the target gene.