Genome Engineering Oxford (GEO)

Genome Engineering Oxford (GEO)

Genome engineering enables precise, targeted changes to be made in the genomes of essentially any organism, enabling genetic analysis in systems previously unavailable to such manipulation, and greatly simplifying and speeding up the process of generating genetic model organisms. The CRISPR/Cas9 system is a simple, adaptable and efficient system that can be used to achieve this.

The two-component CRISPR/Cas9 system of genome engineering.

Efficient mutagenesis of the AGO1 gene in a population in cultured cells.

Genome Engineering Oxford (GEO) is a joint venture between the Dunn School of Pathology, DPAG, Biochemistry and Pharmacology. We provide a CRISPR design and testing service for generating experimentally tested vectors. In October 2017, GEO launched the engineered mammalian cell lines program. For this new service, we generate clonal cell lines* containing a mutation of interest (e.g. knock-out, knock-in, SNP, etc.).

We also are actively involved in developing new gene editing methods, and provide opportunities for collaborations on more extensive or challenging uses of CRISPR techniques such as development of new vector designs, application to whole organisms, development and use of genome-wide libraries.

 

Service & Equipment available

  • CRISPR design, testing and production service
  • Advice on best strategies for genome engineering in all systems and organisms
  • Vector design, construction and testing
  • Generation of custom-made mammalian cell lines harbouring user-defined genomic alterations, such as deletions, insertions and point mutations

 

Access to facility

Services are available to all members of Oxford University, but those in DPAG, Biochemistry, Pathology and Pharmacology have preferential access and rates. Potential users should contact Joey Riepsaame to discuss the details of their projects. The CRISPR design, assembly and testing service is normally performed by the facility, but other experiments will be performed either in collaboration with or entirely by users.

 

Training required/available

No training is required apart from a basic knowledge of the CRISP system and the genomic structure of the genes of interest. Collaborative projects will likely involve training in the design and implementation of genome engineering techniques, and are assessed on an individual basis.

 

CRISP design/testing service

Conventional plasmid-based all-in-one CRISPR systems

 

DPAG/Biochem/Path/Pharmacol

Other OU users

# of sgRNAs

Price per sgRNA

Price per sgRNA

1+

£120      

£150

5+

£105

£130

9+

£90 

£115

17+

£75

£95

More

On request

On request

 

in vitro transcribed (IVT) sgRNAs

Conventional plasmid-based all-in-one C

DPAG/Biochem/Path/Pharmacol

Other OU users

Price per sgRNA - without testing

Price per sgRNA - without testing

£55    

£65

Price per sgRNA - with testing

Price per sgRNA - with testing

£120      

£150

NB: sgRNA testing is an additional service for IVT sgRNAs. The testing service includes transfecting the IVT sgRNAs into a cell line stably expressing Cas9, harvesting the DNA 24h post-transfection, PCR amplifying the target region and validating sgRNA cutting efficiency by means of T7E1 assays (or equivalent).

 

Engineer mammalian cell lines

Costs for custom-made cell lines range between £2500 and £5000, depending on the complexity of the introduced gene edit (knock-out vs knock-in, copy number, locus accessibility, cell line, etc.). Please contact Joey Riepsaame to discuss the details of your project.

Other services are charged on a cost-recovery basis for each individual project.

*For custom-made cell line services, we aim to deliver at least two clones containing the mutation of interest. We commonly edit the following cell lines: HEK293, HeLa, HCT116, (e)HAP1 and U2OS.

Please contact Joey Riepsaame if you wish to use a different cell line.

Joey Riepsaame
joey.riepsaame@path.ox.ac.uk