Date Time CRISPR improves method for studying gene functions Since the genetics revolution, biologists have been working to understand the roles that individual genes play, often with the help of advanced techniques. One such method, mosaic analysis, has led to many discoveries of the functions of genes. Although mosaic analysis has been widely used in Drosophila, a popular model organism, it is much harder to implement in other organisms. A new paper describes a technique called Mosaic Analysis by gRNA-induced Crossing-over (MAGIC), which uses CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology to make mosaic analysis much simpler. Though the proof-of-principle experiment was done in fruit flies (Drosophila), it can theoretically work in any organism where CRISPR methods apply.