Synthego Announces World's First Synthetic Single Guide RNA Kit for CRISPR Genome Engineering

REDWOOD CITY, CA--(Marketwired - Sep 20, 2016) -  Synthego, a leading provider of genome engineering solutions, today announces the world's first synthetic single guide RNA (sgRNA) CRISPR genome editing kit. Synthego's 100-nucleotide sgRNA is the critical component of the new kit already in use by several dozen world-class pharmaceutical and industry organizations, and research institutions such as the Seattle Children's Research Institute and the University of California, Berkeley, Patel Lab. Offered under its CRISPRevolution portfolio, the sgRNA ships within 5 days ready-for-transfection, is 100 percent DNA-free and requires no annealing, saving additional time and money. In addition to enabling superior editing efficiencies, Synthego delivers sgRNA to researchers faster and at a lower price than alternatives.

Prior to CRISPRevolution, synthetic sgRNA required several weeks for production, was expensive, and lacked scalability to high throughput due to required custom processes. With Synthego's high-precision automated production process, the company is able to produce sgRNA for CRISPR genome engineering in a matter of days at up to five times lower in price. Further, the product offers improved editing efficiencies of up to 90 percent and in vivo stability to protect against intracellular exonucleases.

Seattle Children's Research Institute is currently using Synthego's sgRNA kit to find a cure for pediatric hemoglobinopathies and immune deficiency diseases. "Our research requires reagents that have the highest stability, efficiency and consistency," said Michelle Christian, postdoctoral fellow at Seattle Children's Research Institute. "Preliminary testing with Synthego's sgRNA allows us to achieve very high editing efficiencies of up to 90 percent, which is extraordinary compared to the 20 percent we have been seeing with other reagents. In addition, the low cost and fast turnaround makes it cost-effective and feasible for rapid screening of guide RNAs."

Due to previously high costs and long turnaround times of synthetic RNA, researchers commonly use plasmid cloning or in vitro transcription (IVT) to make guide RNA for gene editing. However, plasmids and IVT can provide challenges for CRISPR researchers such as a risk of off-target effects, lower editing efficiencies and DNA contamination. Additionally, both methods are time consuming and labor-intensive ways of constructing guide RNA that is not easily scalable beyond a few genome targets.

Researchers at UC Berkeley are also using Synthego's sgRNA kit with high success rates. "I tried Synthego's synthetic sgRNA for the first time for CRISPR knock-out, and my survival rate was much higher than using IVT guides," said Erin Jarvis, PhD candidate, Evolutionary Development Biology, UC Berkeley's Patel Lab. "So far, every crustacean embryo I've checked has been transformed. You can't get much better than that."

The CRISPRevolution EZ sgRNA Kit includes:

• Target-Specific Synthetic sgRNA (100 nucleotides)
• Cas9 2NLS Nuclease (Optional)
• Tris-EDTA buffer
• Nuclease-free ultra-pure water

List price for the Synthego sgRNA kit starts at $295 per gene target, with special discounts for academic research and volume purchases. For more information on Synthego visit: www.synthego.com.

About Synthego
Founded by former SpaceX engineers, Synthego is a leading provider of genome engineering solutions. The company's flagship product, CRISPRevolution, is a portfolio of synthetic RNA designed for CRISPR genome editing and research. Synthego's vision is to bring precision and automation to genome engineering, enabling rapid and cost-effective research with consistent results for every scientist. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, California, Synthego customers include leading institutions around the world including countries such as Australia, Belgium, Germany, UK, USA and Switzerland.