Streamlining CRISPR gene-editing workflows

CAMBRIDGE, U.K.—Horizon Discovery Group plc announced late last year the addition of a predesigned synthetic single guide RNA (sgRNA) option to its product range. The sgRNAs, available individually or as library collections, expand the company’s Edit-R gene engineering platform which provides a convenient and accessible approach to successful CRISPR gene editing.

Using synthetic sgRNAs enables researchers to achieve reliable gene knockouts in even complex, difficult-to-edit cell types and experimental models, the company says. The synthetic sgRNAs have been designed using Horizon’s proprietary algorithm to maximize the likelihood of functionally knocking out genes of interest while minimizing off-target effects.

These predesigned synthetic sgRNAs, when paired with Cas9 mRNA or Cas9 protein, reportedly allow researchers to perform DNA-free gene editing in a new one-part format thereby streamlining their gene editing workflows, without the potential for nuclease or guide integration into the cell’s genome. They can also be paired with expressed formats such as Cas9 integrated cell lines, which is ideal for high-throughput library screening.

The company will continue to provide its CRISPR design tool, where customers can design custom guide RNA to edit a specific region within a DNA transcript or input their own guide RNA target sequence to generate ready-to-use sgRNA.

“Previously, Horizon had only offered synthetic sgRNAs through the CRISPR Design tool. Providing predesigned synthetic sgRNAs guarantees editing the gene of interest, and gives researchers a more convenient option for gene knockout experiments,” said Ryan Donnelly, product manager at Horizon Discovery. “For those that require site-specific editing, are working in unique organisms, or use alternative editing nucleases; our CRISPR design tool is still available.”