CRISPR roadblocks: Scientists identify genes blocking gene therapy success

a picture showing the title "genome- wide CRISPR screening identifies cellular factors controlling nonviral genome editing efficiency" in Nature Communications with authors Shivani Saxena, Meha Kabra, Amr A. Abdeen, Diana M. Tabima, Divya Sinha, Piper A. Rawding, Min Zhu, Ruosen Xie, Tanvi Kulkarni, Giovanni M. Hanstad, Maria A. Fernandez Zepeda, David M. Gamm, Bikash R. Pattnaik, Shaoqin Gong & Krishanu Saha.

A recent publication in Nature Communications explores the human genome to identify genetic barriers that limit nonviral CRISPR editor delivery. By using a new screening platform across 19,114 human genes, researchers identified 26 cellular factors that actively constrain CRISPR editing efficiency. This research was made possible by a collaborative effort across campus, including numerous MERI members and trainees, and funding in part from McPherson Eye Research Institute Chairs and Professorships and the Sandra Lemke Trout Chair in Eye Research.

Click here for a look behind the work, written by Tom Ziemer.

For the full publication in Nature Communications, click here.