Sigma-Aldrich forms partnership with Sanger Institute on first arrayed whole genome lentiviral CRISPR libraries
Will provide researchers with a collection of individual clones designed to knock out single genes in cellular and animal models
Sigma-Aldrich is to work with the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute to manufacture and distribute the Sanger Institute's arrayed lentiviral CRISPR library.
The US firm says the library will be the first of its kind, providing researchers with a collection of individual clones designed to knock out every known human and mouse protein-coding gene using the CRISPR system.
Since the discovery of CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) two years ago, the tool has been used to precisely knock out single genes in cellular and animal models. It allows researchers to identify critical components in basic biology, particularly as they relate to understanding the genetic underpinnings of disease onset and progression.
Sigma-Aldrich has been working in the genome editing field for more than a decade
Sigma-Aldrich plans to launch the glycerol and lentiviral versions of the Sanger Institute human CRISPR library this year. Priority will be given to members of Sigma-Aldrich's CRISPR Core lab partnership.
'Sigma-Aldrich is excited about the timing and synergy of this collaboration,' said Shawn Shafer, Functional Genomics Manager for Sigma-Aldrich.
'The Sanger Institute is renowned for the scope and quality of its scientific endeavours, and it is leading the way once again with the creation of these whole genome arrayed lentiviral CRISPR libraries.
'Sigma-Aldrich has been working in the genome editing field for more than a decade, and we are excited to partner with an organisation that shares the same vision and passion for the technology.
'The Sanger CRISPR library could lead to the discovery of novel drugs or unknown mechanisms of disease, and Sigma-Aldrich looks forward to getting this important tool into researchers' hands.'
