Core Insights - A new gene editing technology has been developed by researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, enabling precise manipulation of large DNA segments ranging from thousands to millions of base pairs, significantly enhancing the scale and capability of gene editing [1][2] - The technology, termed PCE (Programmable Chromosome-level Editing), integrates three innovative systematic technical pathways, demonstrating powerful capabilities in various complex operations on DNA [1] Group 1: Technology Development - The new gene editing technology allows for precise insertion of ultra-large DNA segments containing 18,800 base pairs, targeted replacement of DNA sequences with 5,000 base pairs, inversion of long chromosome segments with 12 million base pairs, and deletion of long chromosome segments with 4 million base pairs [1] - The technology has shown effectiveness in both plant and animal cell experiments, indicating its versatility and potential for broad applications [1] Group 2: Applications and Implications - The technology has been successfully applied to rice, where a DNA segment containing 315,000 base pairs was precisely inverted, resulting in the cultivation of herbicide-resistant rice varieties, showcasing its extensive application prospects [2] - This advancement opens new pathways for crop trait improvement and genetic disease treatment, potentially driving new breeding strategies and the development of synthetic biology [2] - Reviewers have recognized this work as a significant breakthrough in the field of genetic engineering, highlighting its vast application potential in breeding and gene therapy [2]