Profile nucleases and Repurpose Off-Targets to Expand Gene Editing

Introduction

Programmable nucleases reside at the nexus of advanced gene editing and microbial defense. These nucleases degrade phage DNA but avoid genomic DNA to provide the microbe with adaptive immunity. The standard-bearer, CRISPR-Cas9, relies on a guide RNA (gRNA) – its program – to precisely cut a complementary genetic sequence – its target – for precision gene editing.

Applications

These programmable nucleases deliver cures for genetic diseases like:

• Anemia
• Blindness
• Cancer

They also facilitate quick disease model development and diagnostics for viruses like SARS-CoV-2.

Discovery of Nucleases

Hunts across microbial genomes have exposed thousands of programmable nucleases. Each could be another valuable tool for genome engineers, but we know just too little about them to use them safely.

Challenges with Off-Targets

Even Cas9 does not have guide-target parity: it cuts partially matched ‘off-target’ genome sites, which can lead to dangerous side effects. Though we work hard to avoid off-targets, partial matching may have a bright side.

Hypothesis

What if we leverage it, using it to make gene editing more predictable?

Research Program

Using high-throughput biochemistry, we will Profile nucleases and Repurpose Off-Targets to Expand Gene Editing. The PROTÉGÉ research program will:

1. Profile guide-target parity – specificity – across promising, newly discovered programmable nucleases.
2. Deliver a toolset for assessing this critical safety feature rapidly and broadly.
3. Test the hypothesis that purposefully misprogramming nucleases can direct specific repair outcomes.

Conclusion

We intend to benefit Europe and the world community with safer and more diverse gene editing tools for achieving its Horizon Europe health, technology, and environmental goals.