“Once activated, the protein can bind to any genetic material that comes near it, whether its single-stranded RNA, single-stranded DNA, or double-stranded DNA.”
Cas9 cuts its target and stops. Cas12a2 finds its target, changes shape and shreds every strand of genetic material nearby until the cell dies. The cancer angle rests on it looking “programmable,” and the papers so far cover only structure and function. A protein that kills the whole cell is a weapon first and a therapy once someone proves it only hits the right cells.