Compositions and Methods for Genome Editing

Patent Status

Patent Pending

Brief Description

RNA-mediated adaptive immune systems in bacteria and archaea rely on Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat (CRISPR) genomic loci and CRISPR associated (Cas) proteins that function together to provide protection from invading viruses and plasmids. Genome editing can be carried out using a CRISPR-Cas system comprising a CRISPR-Cas effector polypeptide and a guide nucleic acid, such as a guide RNA. However, unintended chromosomal abnormalities following on-target genome editing, such as chromosome loss, are potential concerns for genome editing.

UC Berkeley researchers and others have developed a method to modulate the expression levels of the DNA damage response factor p53 in order to mitigate chromosomal abnormalities that occur after genome editing by nucleases like Cas9. The invention provides treatment methods by generating a modified cell and then administering the modified cell to an individual in need thereof and compositions having a CRISPR-Cas effector polypeptide, a guide nucleic acid, and an agent that increases the level of a p53 polypeptide in a mammalian cell.

Suggested uses

• Genome editing

Advantages

• Mitigates chromosomal abnormalties after genome editing