Project description:The CRISPR-Cas12a platform has attracted interest in the genome editing community because the prototypic Acidaminococcus Cas12a generates a staggered DNA double-strand break upon binding to an AT-rich protospacer-adjacent motif (PAM, 5'-TTTV). The broad application of the platform in primary human cells was enabled by the development of an engineered version of the natural Cas12a protein, called Cas12a Ultra. In this study, we confirmed that CRISPR-Cas12a Ultra ribonucleoprotein complexes enabled allelic gene disruption frequencies of over 90% at multiple target sites in human T cells, hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs), and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). In addition, we demonstrated for the first time the efficient knock-in potential of the platform in human iPSCs and achieved targeted integration of a GFP marker gene into the AAVS1 safe harbor site and a CSF2RA super-exon into CSF2RA in up to 90% of alleles without selection. Clonal analysis revealed bi-allelic integration in >50% of the screened iPSC clones without compromising their pluripotency and genomic integrity. Thus, in combination with the adeno-associated virus vector system, CRISPR-Cas12a Ultra provides a highly efficient genome editing platform for performing targeted knock-ins in human iPSCs.
Project description:In this study, we demonstrate that CRISPR/RfxCas13d (CasRx)-mediated circRNA depletion is, for the circRNAs studied, more efficient than Argonaute 2-dependent short hairpin RNA (agoshRNA)-mediated depletion and with fewer off-target effects on the linear host RNAs. We also designed and optimally used synthetic guide RNAs (syn-gRNAs) in combination with CasRx to efficienctly deplete circRNA ciRS-7. None of the knockdown strategies tested (pre-gRNA, gRNA, syn-gRNA and agoshRNA) showed any significant off-target effects at the transcriptomics level. Differential expression analysis was performed for each KD setup versus non-targeting control (three biological replicates of each). In conclusion, CasRx-mediated circRNA knockdown using both vector-based and syn-gRNA strategies is a useful tool for future studies on circRNA functions.
Project description:Programmable base editing of RNA enables rewriting the genetic codes on specific sites. Current tools for specific RNA editing dependent on the assembly or recruitment of the guide RNA into an RNA/protein complex, which may cause delivery barrier and low editing efficiency. Here we report a new set of tools, RNA editing with individual RNA-binding enzyme (REWIRE), to perform precise base editing with a single engineered protein. The REWIRE system contains a human-originated programmable RNA-binding domain (PUF domain) to specifically recognize target sequence and different deaminase domains to achieve A-to-I or C-to-U editing. By utilizing this system, we have achieved editing efficiencies up to 80% in A-to-I editing and 65% in C-to-U editing, with a few non-specific editing sites in the targeted region and a low level off-target effect globally. We applied the REWIREs to correct disease-associated mutations and modify mitochondrial RNAs, and further optimized the REWIREs to improve the editing efficiency and minimize off-target effects. As a single-component base editing system originated from human proteins, REWIRE presents a precise and efficient RNA-editing platform with broad applicability in basic research and gene therapy.
Project description:Here, we devised a highly robust N-glycoproteomics (HRN) platform to explore the diagnostic capability of site-specific glycans in the serum of gastric cancer (GC).
Project description:<p> <ol> <li>Implement an efficient, highly reproducible and 'scalable' system for the production of large numbers of sickle cell anemia-specific iPS cells (iPSC).</li> <li>Derive and characterize a novel, in vitro system for the production of an unlimited supply of erythroid lineage cells from the directed differentiation of 'clinical grade' transgene-free iPS cells; use this system to recapitulate erythroid-lineage ontogeny in vitro with the sequential development of primitive and definitive erythropoiesis, accompanied by the appropriate expression of stage-specific globin genes.</li> <li>Identify developmental gene expression profile differences between erythroid precursors that produce primarily HbF and those that produce primarily HbA or HbS.</li> <li>Determine the effects of the three known HbF major quantitative trait loci (QTL) on globin gene expression in disease-specific iPS cells during in vitro erythropoiesis.</li> <li>Search for novel HbF genetic modifiers associated with markedly elevated HbF levels found in sickle cell anemia patients naturally, or in response to hydroxyurea treatment, by examining gene expression profiles and mRNA sequence of their iPSC-derived erythroid cells.</li> <li>Develop and use a CRISPR-based gene editing platform to study the effect of novel HbF genetic modifiers, explore globin switching, and correct the HbS mutation in sickle iPSC lines.</li> </ol> </p>