Chemically modified guide RNAs enhance CRISPR-Cas genome editing in human primary cells. Nature biotechnology Hendel, A., Bak, R. O., Clark, J. T., Kennedy, A. B., Ryan, D. E., Roy, S., Steinfeld, I., Lunstad, B. D., Kaiser, R. J., Wilkens, A. B., Bacchetta, R., Tsalenko, A., Dellinger, D., Bruhn, L., Porteus, M. H. 2015; 33 (9): 985-989

Abstract

CRISPR-Cas-mediated genome editing relies on guide RNAs that direct site-specific DNA cleavage facilitated by the Cas endonuclease. Here we report that chemical alterations to synthesized single guide RNAs (sgRNAs) enhance genome editing efficiency in human primary T cells and CD34(+) hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. Co-delivering chemically modified sgRNAs with Cas9 mRNA or protein is an efficient RNA- or ribonucleoprotein (RNP)-based delivery method for the CRISPR-Cas system, without the toxicity associated with DNA delivery. This approach is a simple and effective way to streamline the development of genome editing with the potential to accelerate a wide array of biotechnological and therapeutic applications of the CRISPR-Cas technology.

View details for DOI 10.1038/nbt.3290

View details for PubMedID 26121415