Genetic Engineering Publications - GEG Tech top picks

In vivo screening of the CRISPR genome identifies the transcriptional modulator CITED2 as an essential factor in the progression of prostate cancer to bone metastases. The discovery not only improves understanding of the molecular basis of the disease, but also opens up new avenues for targeted therapies, potentially revolutionizing treatment paradigms for patients battling advanced prostate cancer. The study meticulously engineered non-metastatic human prostate cancer cell lines to activate or inhibit gene expression using CRISPRa or CRISPRi technology. Modified cancer cells were then implanted into the prostate of nude mice, and following tumor development and emergence of metastases, primary and metastatic tumors were harvested for analysis. In vivo CRISPR screening identified CITED2 as an important promoter of bone metastasis, standing out among various genes for its substantial impact. Subsequent functional validation experiments, including innovative organ-on-a-chip assays, reinforced CITED2's role in promoting bone invasion, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target. The research also looked at CITED2-driven transcriptional profiles, revealing distinct patterns of primary and metastatic cancer, which could inform the development of precision medicine approaches. 

In a study published in Nature Microbiology, the team led by Dr. John Schoggins, Assistant Professor of Microbiology, used the cutting-edge CRISPR technology to identify the IFI6 gene as a potent antiviral gene targeting flaviviruses. The researchers then used traditional cell culture studies to confirm the gene’s role in protecting against infection by Zika, West Nile, dengue, and yellow fever viruses.

High content screening (HCS), in which manipulation of candidate genes is combined with rapid image analysis of phenotypic effects, has emerged as a powerful technique to identify key regulators of axon outgrowth. In this study, the scientists explore the utility of a genome editing approach referred to as CRISPR  for knockout screening in primary neurons. For example, they targeted proteins included NeuN (RbFox3) and PTEN, a well-studied regulator of axon growth. Effective knockdown lagged at least four days behind transfection, but targeted proteins were eventually undetectable by immunohistochemistry in > 80% of transfected cells.  Their finding establish an example of CRISPR-mediated protein knockdown in primary cortical neurons and its compatibility with HCS workflows.

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in American women, and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a more aggressive and deadly form of the disease that accounts for 10-15% of all breast tumors. Using a comprehensive, state-of-the-art genomic screening method known as CRISPR/CAS9 screening, scientists were able to identify a specific enzyme called UBA1 that proved to be an ideal therapeutic target. Using a new UBA inhibitor drug called TAK-243, they blocked the cellular function of UBA1 and effectively killed cancer cells in patient-derived breast tumors in mice. Previous research has shown that UBA1 inhibitors can have a positive impact on hematological cancers such as acute myeloid leukemia and chronic myeloid leukemia. This study, recently published in PNAS Nexus, is the first to suggest that UBA1 inhibitors may be effective in TNBC. TAK-243 was recently tested in early phase trials, paving the way for potential testing in TNBC patients. The researchers also determined that the c-MYC gene can be harnessed to cooperate with TAK-243 to initiate a cellular stress response and improve the drug's ability to combat TNBC. This supports the idea that TAK-243 may be effective in TNBC with high c-MYC expression, where c-MYC may serve as a biomarker for drug response.

High-throughput genetic screens have become essential tools for studying a wide variety of biological processes. Here the scientists experimentally compare systems based on clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) or its transcriptionally repressive variant, CRISPR-interference (CRISPRi), with a traditional short hairpin RNA (shRNA)-based system for performing lethality screens. They find that the CRISPR technology performed best, with low noise, minimal off-target effects and consistent activity across reagents.