CRISPR/Cas-based strategy for unearthing hidden chemical space from microbial genomes

The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated (Cas) system capable of editing genomes with high efficiency has recently drawn increasing interest in the field of natural products. However, most of the work has been confined to known metabolite studies. Here, we discuss the promise and obstacles associated with using CRISPR/Cas systems to discover novel natural products.