While early applications of CRISPR technology focused primarily on targeted genome editing, Promega claims its use is expanding to cell line engineering, where breakthroughs are expected. philip hargreaves…
CRISPR technology has come a long way since it was discovered as a natural defense mechanism for bacteria. Scientists have harnessed that potential to precisely edit genes, paving the way for breakthroughs in genetic engineering. Initially, CRISPR was primarily used to edit specific genes within an organism, but its scope has rapidly expanded to include the manipulation of entire cell lines. This ability to edit cell lines using CRISPR technology has opened up countless possibilities.
For many years, researchers and drug developers have used immortalized cell lines (derived from humans but engineered to have properties that are stable over many divisions) to aid in their research. These cell lines typically express the gene and/or protein targets of interest within their cells. The CRISPR method has made it possible to manipulate these cell lines more quickly and optimally.
Currently, CRISPR cell line technology is widely used for medical and agricultural applications. In medicine, researchers are using CRISPR to engineer therapeutic cell lines with the aim of treating diseases at the genetic level. For example, CRISPR has been used to edit genes in immune cells, allowing them to better target and eliminate cancer cells.
future landscape
Looking ahead, the future of CRISPR cell line technology holds even more transformative potential. One important area of ​​research is regenerative medicine, where researchers aim to use CRISPR to manipulate cells for tissue repair and organ regeneration. The ability to precisely edit and manipulate cell lines opens new avenues for the treatment of degenerative diseases and injuries and has the potential to revolutionize the field of transplantation.
The ability to precisely edit and manipulate cell lines opens new avenues for the treatment of degenerative diseases and injuries and has the potential to revolutionize the field of transplantation.
CRISPR technology is even more poised to play a key role in developing new treatments for genetic diseases. Being able to edit problematic genes could pave the way to more effective treatments and even cures for conditions once thought to be incurable, such as Alzheimer’s disease.
Despite the impressive advances in CRISPR technology, challenges and obstacles still need to be addressed. The potential for off-target effects, unintended mutations, and unpredictable outcomes remain major obstacles to developing and applying CRISPR-based therapeutics. Researchers are actively working to enhance the accuracy and safety of CRISPR technology to reduce these risks.
CRISPR genetically engineered cell lines
One way to generate cell lines using CRISPR engineering, which Promega has successfully offered, is to incorporate HiBiT technology. This 11-amino acid peptide can be fused to target proteins and acts as a luminescent tag. HiBiT can be integrated by knocking in tags at targeted endogenous loci using CRISPR gene editing, helping to create a more accurate picture of protein behavior and regulation in its natural cellular environment. HiBiT has a dynamic range spanning 9 logarithms, allowing detection of very low abundance tagged proteins.
In terms of applications, the versatility of HiBiT is unparalleled, as quantitative assays can be performed in both endpoint and live cell formats without the need for target-specific antibodies. From measuring target protein abundance to studying target protein degradation, protein secretion, and receptor recycling, HiBiT offers countless possibilities for biomedical research. Its role in drug discovery is particularly noteworthy, allowing for more accurate and efficient screening of drug effects on cellular proteins.
The accessibility and affordability of CRISPR technology also needs to ensure that its benefits are not limited to a privileged few. Widespread adoption and integration of CRISPR cell line technology into various fields will require a collaborative effort from researchers, policy makers, and the private sector. To support this effort, Promega now offers a comprehensive selection of pre-built CRISPR-edited cell line pools and clones, including HiBiT fusions.
Deploying CRISPR cell line technology at scale and integrating it into various fields will require a collaborative effort from researchers, policy makers, and the private sector.
This development paves the way for researchers and developers by reducing the cost of developing cell lines from scratch. This not only saves your budget, but also saves you time. This means that drug development times can be reduced by up to 12 months, meaning critical medicines can become available sooner.
The future of CRISPR cell line technology is undoubtedly exciting and promises transformative advances in medicine, agriculture, and other fields. As scientists continue to unravel the mysteries of genetic engineering, there is a delicate balance to consider between innovation and ethical management. But the future is bright if we strive to maximize the potential of technology and make it more accessible and affordable.
Dr. Philip Hargreaves is Director of Strategic Marketing and Business Development at Promega.
Photo: Burano
