In this webinar, we explore:
strategies for performing whole-genome screens using pooled CRISPR guide libraries;
transcriptional activation using targeted delivery with CRISPR activation (CRISPRa);
transcriptional repression using targeted delivery with CRISPR inhibition (CRISPRi);
single-cell analysis using 10x Genomics-compatible CRISPR guides.
Multi-target screening can offer great insight into the genetic pathways in drug resistance and disease, but such screens are complex to perform. The rapid development of CRISPR technology has provided sophisticated options for library screens, including new delivery methods for CRISPR gene knockout and the possibility of epigenetic target gene modulation.

One example of new CRISPR technology is CRISPRi, which allows for targeted suppression of gene function by delivering transcriptional repressors to a specific target sequence using modified dCas9/gRNA complexes. This technology allows you to perform large-scale, whole-genome loss-of-function screens and gain detailed insight into the complex nature of drug resistance and disease.

Complementary to CRISPRi, CRISPRa offers a gain-of-function approach to screening by allowing targeted gene activation using similar mechanics to CRISPRi. CRISPRa and CRISPRi complement both existing loss-of-function and gain-of-function technologies; and have several distinct advantages, including efficient targeting of non-coding genes. You can easily undertake CRISPRa and CRISPRi screens in your research by using our high throughput screening CRISPRa/i libraries, which can be used either alone or as orthogonal approaches to complementary screening strategies.

You can also take your screens to the single-cell level by using our 10X Genomics compatible vectors for single-cell genomic exploration. Developed in partnership with 10X Genomics, these CRISPR guide vectors contain capture sequences that allow efficient feature barcoding of individual cells for transcriptomics across pools of guides, allowing functional genomic analysis of top screen hits.

The life science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany operates as MilliporeSigma in the U.S. and Canada.