The definitive guide to gene editing.
★
Menu
Home Learn News Ask the Atlas
Explore Technologies Diseases Treatments Clinical Trials Companies Scientists Genes Research Institutions
Beyond medicine Agriculture Ethics Investing World map
Learn & Tools Start here Glossary A–Z Compare technologies Timeline Lists & Rankings AI Agents ★ Saved API
About About us Methodology Data Sources Editorial Policy Contact Disclaimers

🧭 Guided View
New to genetics? We explain every term as you browse, in plain English. Same pages, with the help built in.

⚡ Expert View
You already know the biology. Just the content — clean and compact, no extra explanations. This is the default view.

Interface language
Light mode

Term · Editing

PAM

Protospacer-adjacent motif — a short sequence that must sit next to the target or Cas9 will not cut. It is a real constraint on where you can edit.

Written by The CRISPR Atlas editorial team Last updated Aug 25, 2026
Educational information only This page is a reference, not medical advice. Research and regulatory status change; check the last-updated date above and confirm anything important against the primary sources listed.