Lentivirus-like Particle Delivery of CRISPR-Cas9 & Guide RNA for Gene Editing

Patent Status

Brief Description

CRISPR-Cas9 is revolutionizing the field of gene editing and genome engineering. Efficient methods for delivering CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing components into target cells must be developed, both for ex vivo and in vivo applications. Current delivery strategies have drawbacks: genetically encoding Cas9 into viruses (ex. adeno-associated virus, adenovirus, retrovirus) leads to prolonged Cas9 expression in target cells, thus increasing the likelihood for off-target gene editing events. This problem can be mitigated by complexing ribonucleoprotein (RNP) Cas9 and guide RNA (gRNA) in vitro prior to administration – however, additional strategies for trafficking RNPs into target cells must additionally be employed. 

To address this challenge, UC Berkeley researchers have discovered lentivirus-like particles that deliver Cas9/gRNA RNP complexes into target cells with high efficiency. This delivery strategy combines the ability of viruses to deliver cargo intracellularly with the transient nature of Cas9 RNP complexes. 

Suggested uses

• Delivering gene editing components into cells

Advantages

• High efficiency delivery