Abstract

Genome Engineering Overview and Applications of CRISPRs in Drug Discovery

Prasad Krishnamurthy, Lead Investigator, Syngene International Ltd

Over the past decade genome engineering systems have significantly matured and now scientists can use these tools more effectively than ever before. This presentation will provide an overview of different gene editing systems, viz. ZFNs, TALENs and CRISPR-Cas9 that are currently used to generate genetically modified cell lines and animals. We will compare different tools in terms of their merits and demerits. These technologies enable scientists now to manipulate genetic material with very high precision and allow them to identify drug targets, validate them, investigate biological pathways, and develop disease models in vitro and in vivo. As an emerging technology, CRISPR-Cas9 system will be discussed in more detail along with some examples of gene knock-out cell line generation