Sharpening an essential tool for biotechnology
Scientists at the Department of Energy (DOE)'s Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) have shown that more than 93% of possible E. coli CRISPR-Cas9 guide RNAs—molecules that direct the gene-editing CRISPR tool to the right spot in DNA—work as intended, a far higher percentage than researchers expected. They also discovered why a small number of guides fail and developed a simple way to repair them.…
Scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) have revealed that more than 93% of potential E. coli CRISPR-Cas9 guide RNAs function correctly, exceeding expectations. CRISPR is a gene-editing technology that allows precise alterations to DNA, enabling the creation of genetically modified microbes for various applications. The research, published in Nucleic Acids Research, identified why some guides fail and developed a method to correct them.
This advancement will streamline the process of engineering microbes for manufacturing valuable products, bolstering U.S. scientific innovation and global competitiveness in biotechnology. The tool is accessible via a free gRNA Atlas, an interactive application that helps researchers visualize and explore possible Cas9 target sites across the bacterium's genome.
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