Cas9 SmartNickase™ mRNA, Injection- and Transfection-ready

Use injection- and transfection-ready Cas9 SmartNickase mRNA for in vivo genome editing projects where you need to limit off-target activity
  • Ready to use for in vivo genome editing applications
  • Functionally validated Cas9 SmartNickase
  • Backed by expert, easy-to-reach technical support
  • Ran, FA. Genome engineering using the CRISPR-Cas9 system. Nat Protoc. 2013 Oct 24; 8:2281-2308. PMCID: PMC3969860.

Products

Catalog Number Description Size Price Quantity Add to Cart
CAS504A-1 Transfection-ready Cas9 SmartNickase mRNA (Eukaryotic Nickase mutant version) 20 µg $401
- +

Overview

Overview

Stay on-target in your in vivo genome editing projects

For pre-clinical and other applications where you need to minimize off-target Cas9 activity, use SBI’s injection- and transfection-ready PrecisonX™ Cas9 SmartNickase™ mRNA.

Unlike the wildtype Cas9 protein which introduces double-strand breaks (DSBs), the Cas9 SmartNickase introduces paired nicks at the gRNA-directed site. Creating nicks favors the higher-fidelity homologous recombination process over non-homologous end joining (NHEJ), with paired nicking shown to reduce off-target activity by 50- to 1,500-fold in cell lines, and to facilitate gene knockout in mice without losing on-target cleavage efficiency1.

As with all of our Cas9 delivery options, the Cas9 SmartNickase mRNA is functionally validated and comes backed by our expert technical support team—if you’ve got a genome engineering question just ask by emailing tech@systembio.com.
  • Ready to use for in vivo genome editing applications
  • Functionally validated Cas9 SmartNickase
  • Backed by expert, easy-to-reach technical support

Why an HR targeting vector is a recommended

Even though gene knock-outs can result from DSBs caused by Cas9 alone, SBI recommends the use of HR targeting vectors (also called HR donor vectors) for more efficient and precise mutation. HR donors can supply elements for positive or negative selection ensuring easier identification of successful mutation events. In addition, HR donors can include up to 6-8 kb of open reading frame for gene knock-ins or tagging, and, when small mutations are included in either 5’ or 3’ homology arms, can make specific, targeted gene edits.

Efficiently generate gRNA with the T7 gRNA SmartNickase Synthesis Kit

Pair your Cas9 SmartNickase mRNA with our T7 gRNA SmartNuclease Synthesis Kit, which comes with a pre-linearized, ready-for-cloning gRNA expression vector and all the reagents you need for T7-driven in vitro transcription of your cloned gRNA.

The T7 gRNA SmartNuclease Cloning and Production Vector.

Not sure whether you need a CRISPR/Cas9 plasmid, purified protein, or mRNA?

Use this table to choose the CRISPR/Cas9 product that’s right for you:

For This Application
In these types of cells
Use These Products
MODIFYING ORGANISMS

  • Gene tagging

  • Transgenic organism generation

  • Model organism engineering

Embryos—to create transgenic animalsInjectable Cas9 mRNA & gRNA Synthesis Kits
Cas9 Protein
EGFP-labeled Cas9 Protein
Animals models—in vivo genome editingAAV-Cas9 Vectors  
Cas9 Protein
EGFP-labeled Cas9 Protein
MODIFYING CELL LINES

  • Stable KO, KI, and genome editing of
    somatic cells

  • Transgenic cell line generation

  • Cell-based disease models

Cells that are transfectableCas9 Plasmids
Cas9 Protein
EGFP-labeled Cas9 Protein
Difficult-to-transfect cell lines:

  • Primary cells

  • Hematopoietic cells

  • Stem cells

AAV-Cas9 Vectors 
Lenti Cas9 Systems
SCREENING

  • Genome-wide surveys

  • gRNA library screens

  • Functional screens

All cell types requiring stable Cas9 overexpressionLenti Cas9 Systems
AAVS1 Safe Harbor Site Cas9
Gene Knock-in System
Cas9 Protein
EGFP-labeled Cas9 Protein
PRE-CLINICAL APPLICATIONS
  • Off-target events are of highest concern
All cell types and applicationsCas9 Nickase, available in all delivery formats
Cas9 Protein
EGFP-labeled Cas9 Protein
SIMULTANEOUS ENGINEERING OF MULTIPLE MUTATIONSAll cell types and applicationsMultiplex gRNA cloning kit, compatible with all Cas9 delivery options
References
  1. Ran, FA. Genome engineering using the CRISPR-Cas9 system. Nat Protoc. 2013 Oct 24; 8:2281-2308. PMCID: PMC3969860.

How It Works

How It Works

Genome engineering with CRISPR/Cas9

For general guidance on using CRISPR/Cas9 technology for genome engineering, take a look at our CRISPR/Cas9 tutorials as well as the following application notes:

CRISPR/Cas9 Gene Knock-Out Application Note (PDF) »
CRISPR/Cas9 Gene Editing Application Note (PDF) »
CRISPR/Cas9 Gene Tagging Application Note (PDF) »

CRISPR/Cas9 Basics

Through careful selection of the target sequence and design of a donor plasmid for homologous recombination, you can achieve efficient and highly targeted genomic modification with CRISPR/Cas9.

The system

A quick overview of the CRISPR/Cas9 System.

Cas9 protein—uses guide RNA (gRNA) to direct site-specific, double-strand DNA cleavage adjacent to a protospacer adapter motif (PAM) in the target DNA.

gRNA—RNA sequence that guides Cas9 to cleave a homologous region in the target genome. Efficient cleavage only where the gRNA homology is adjacent to a PAM.

PAM—protospacer adapter motif, NGG, is a target DNA sequence that spCas9 will cut upstream from if directed to by the gRNA.

The workflow at-a-glance

DESIGN: Select gRNA and HR donor plasmids. Choice of gRNA site and design of donor plasmid determines whether the homologous recombination event results in a knock-out, knock-in, edit, or tagging.

CONSTRUCT: Clone gRNA into all-in-one Cas9 vector. Clone 5’ and 3’ homology arms into HR donor plasmid. If creating a knock-in, clone desired gene into HR donor.

CO-TRANSFECT or CO-INJECT: Introduce Cas9, gRNA, and HR Donors into the target cells using co-transfection for plasmids, co-transduction for lentivirus, or co-injection for mRNAs.

SELECT/SCREEN: Select or screen for mutants and verify.

VALIDATE: Genotype or sequence putative mutants to verify single or biallelic conversion.

Supporting Data

Supporting Data

Knock-in of GFP at the AAVS1 Safe Harbor Site using Cas9 SmartNickase mRNA

Cas9 SmartNickase mRNA is used to knock-in GFP to the AAVS1 Safe Harbor Site

Figure 1. Cas9 SmartNickase mRNA-mediated knock-in of GFP to the AAVS1 Safe Harbor Site. In order to enhance genome editing specificity, paired gRNA with the Cas9 SmartNickase can be used to generate double nicking with 5′ overhang. Please follow the guidelines in the schematic for paired gRNA selection and design—note that only gRNA pairs creating 5′ overhangs with less than 8 bp overlap between the guide sequences were able to mediate detectable indel formation1. To achieve high cleavage efficiency using Cas9 Nickase with paired gRNAs, make sure each gRNA is able to efficiently induce indels when coupled with wide-type Cas9.

References

  1. Ran, FA. Genome engineering using the CRISPR-Cas9 system. Nat Protoc. 2013 Oct 24; 8:2281-2308. PMCID: PMC3969860.

FAQs

Resources

Citations

Products

Catalog Number Description Size Price Quantity Add to Cart
CAS504A-1 Transfection-ready Cas9 SmartNickase mRNA (Eukaryotic Nickase mutant version) 20 µg $401
- +

Overview

Overview

Stay on-target in your in vivo genome editing projects

For pre-clinical and other applications where you need to minimize off-target Cas9 activity, use SBI’s injection- and transfection-ready PrecisonX™ Cas9 SmartNickase™ mRNA.

Unlike the wildtype Cas9 protein which introduces double-strand breaks (DSBs), the Cas9 SmartNickase introduces paired nicks at the gRNA-directed site. Creating nicks favors the higher-fidelity homologous recombination process over non-homologous end joining (NHEJ), with paired nicking shown to reduce off-target activity by 50- to 1,500-fold in cell lines, and to facilitate gene knockout in mice without losing on-target cleavage efficiency1.

As with all of our Cas9 delivery options, the Cas9 SmartNickase mRNA is functionally validated and comes backed by our expert technical support team—if you’ve got a genome engineering question just ask by emailing tech@systembio.com.
  • Ready to use for in vivo genome editing applications
  • Functionally validated Cas9 SmartNickase
  • Backed by expert, easy-to-reach technical support

Why an HR targeting vector is a recommended

Even though gene knock-outs can result from DSBs caused by Cas9 alone, SBI recommends the use of HR targeting vectors (also called HR donor vectors) for more efficient and precise mutation. HR donors can supply elements for positive or negative selection ensuring easier identification of successful mutation events. In addition, HR donors can include up to 6-8 kb of open reading frame for gene knock-ins or tagging, and, when small mutations are included in either 5’ or 3’ homology arms, can make specific, targeted gene edits.

Efficiently generate gRNA with the T7 gRNA SmartNickase Synthesis Kit

Pair your Cas9 SmartNickase mRNA with our T7 gRNA SmartNuclease Synthesis Kit, which comes with a pre-linearized, ready-for-cloning gRNA expression vector and all the reagents you need for T7-driven in vitro transcription of your cloned gRNA.

The T7 gRNA SmartNuclease Cloning and Production Vector.

Not sure whether you need a CRISPR/Cas9 plasmid, purified protein, or mRNA?

Use this table to choose the CRISPR/Cas9 product that’s right for you:

For This Application
In these types of cells
Use These Products
MODIFYING ORGANISMS

  • Gene tagging

  • Transgenic organism generation

  • Model organism engineering

Embryos—to create transgenic animalsInjectable Cas9 mRNA & gRNA Synthesis Kits
Cas9 Protein
EGFP-labeled Cas9 Protein
Animals models—in vivo genome editingAAV-Cas9 Vectors  
Cas9 Protein
EGFP-labeled Cas9 Protein
MODIFYING CELL LINES

  • Stable KO, KI, and genome editing of
    somatic cells

  • Transgenic cell line generation

  • Cell-based disease models

Cells that are transfectableCas9 Plasmids
Cas9 Protein
EGFP-labeled Cas9 Protein
Difficult-to-transfect cell lines:

  • Primary cells

  • Hematopoietic cells

  • Stem cells

AAV-Cas9 Vectors 
Lenti Cas9 Systems
SCREENING

  • Genome-wide surveys

  • gRNA library screens

  • Functional screens

All cell types requiring stable Cas9 overexpressionLenti Cas9 Systems
AAVS1 Safe Harbor Site Cas9
Gene Knock-in System
Cas9 Protein
EGFP-labeled Cas9 Protein
PRE-CLINICAL APPLICATIONS
  • Off-target events are of highest concern
All cell types and applicationsCas9 Nickase, available in all delivery formats
Cas9 Protein
EGFP-labeled Cas9 Protein
SIMULTANEOUS ENGINEERING OF MULTIPLE MUTATIONSAll cell types and applicationsMultiplex gRNA cloning kit, compatible with all Cas9 delivery options
References
  1. Ran, FA. Genome engineering using the CRISPR-Cas9 system. Nat Protoc. 2013 Oct 24; 8:2281-2308. PMCID: PMC3969860.

How It Works

How It Works

Genome engineering with CRISPR/Cas9

For general guidance on using CRISPR/Cas9 technology for genome engineering, take a look at our CRISPR/Cas9 tutorials as well as the following application notes:

CRISPR/Cas9 Gene Knock-Out Application Note (PDF) »
CRISPR/Cas9 Gene Editing Application Note (PDF) »
CRISPR/Cas9 Gene Tagging Application Note (PDF) »

CRISPR/Cas9 Basics

Through careful selection of the target sequence and design of a donor plasmid for homologous recombination, you can achieve efficient and highly targeted genomic modification with CRISPR/Cas9.

The system

A quick overview of the CRISPR/Cas9 System.

Cas9 protein—uses guide RNA (gRNA) to direct site-specific, double-strand DNA cleavage adjacent to a protospacer adapter motif (PAM) in the target DNA.

gRNA—RNA sequence that guides Cas9 to cleave a homologous region in the target genome. Efficient cleavage only where the gRNA homology is adjacent to a PAM.

PAM—protospacer adapter motif, NGG, is a target DNA sequence that spCas9 will cut upstream from if directed to by the gRNA.

The workflow at-a-glance

DESIGN: Select gRNA and HR donor plasmids. Choice of gRNA site and design of donor plasmid determines whether the homologous recombination event results in a knock-out, knock-in, edit, or tagging.

CONSTRUCT: Clone gRNA into all-in-one Cas9 vector. Clone 5’ and 3’ homology arms into HR donor plasmid. If creating a knock-in, clone desired gene into HR donor.

CO-TRANSFECT or CO-INJECT: Introduce Cas9, gRNA, and HR Donors into the target cells using co-transfection for plasmids, co-transduction for lentivirus, or co-injection for mRNAs.

SELECT/SCREEN: Select or screen for mutants and verify.

VALIDATE: Genotype or sequence putative mutants to verify single or biallelic conversion.

Supporting Data

Supporting Data

Knock-in of GFP at the AAVS1 Safe Harbor Site using Cas9 SmartNickase mRNA

Cas9 SmartNickase mRNA is used to knock-in GFP to the AAVS1 Safe Harbor Site

Figure 1. Cas9 SmartNickase mRNA-mediated knock-in of GFP to the AAVS1 Safe Harbor Site. In order to enhance genome editing specificity, paired gRNA with the Cas9 SmartNickase can be used to generate double nicking with 5′ overhang. Please follow the guidelines in the schematic for paired gRNA selection and design—note that only gRNA pairs creating 5′ overhangs with less than 8 bp overlap between the guide sequences were able to mediate detectable indel formation1. To achieve high cleavage efficiency using Cas9 Nickase with paired gRNAs, make sure each gRNA is able to efficiently induce indels when coupled with wide-type Cas9.

References

  1. Ran, FA. Genome engineering using the CRISPR-Cas9 system. Nat Protoc. 2013 Oct 24; 8:2281-2308. PMCID: PMC3969860.

FAQs

Citations