In the CRISPR IMI, our panel revealed that “validation of genome editing results” was the one area they would most like to improve. We asked 300+ global scientists currently using CRISPR technology how they would propose solving this, specifically:

“Ensure the targeting is unique and specific. Southern blots to confirm that only specific targeting events have occurred using probes is required to ensure there are no other insertions. Otherwise, DNA-Seq to check the whole genome is a reliable albeit expensive validation method.”- Staff Scientist, The National University of Singapore

“Good quality antibody reagents and good functional assays. Also, using other techniques such as site-directed mutagenesis and RNAi knockdown to understand the biology more fully.”- Senior Scientist, AstraZeneca UK

“The best way we have found to validate genome editing is to move to an in vivo system by SCNT and cloning. Further analysis and characterization of the genotype and phenotype of the resulting animals provide us with the most complete data sets.”- Senior Scientist, Recombinetics

“Sequencing to detect the point of insertion, similar to DNA modifications, enrich for guide RNA insertions with a probe and sequence fragments that are bound to the probe.”- Postdoctoral Fellow, Harvard Medical School

“I don’t see any obvious possible improvement. I think the design of the target should be the main focus to avoid off target effects which are much more difficult to identify.”- Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Queensland (Australia)

Want to see more verbatim insights from The Science Advisory Board? Let us know!