Knudra Transgenics has been providing transgenesis services in model organisms since 2009, during which time, Dr. Chris Hopkins, MBA, PhD, company founder and CSO, tells us various genome editing technologies have evolved.
“CRISPR/Cas9 technology has demonstrated itself to be one of the most versatile editing platforms for adding and removing genes from any genome,” he said.
Notably, the technology now allows for efficient insertion of human genes into the genomes of the C elegans roundworm and the D. rerio zebrafish. “This humanization of model organisms turns them into powerful platforms for discovery,” explained Hopkins.
Knudra is making a series of humanized animal models under its RediModel product line with which medical researchers can use humanized model organisms as a rapid phenotyping platform.
“Rapid phenotyping is needed to help scientist understand the physiological importance of the bewildering array of genetic polymorphism being discovered in GWS studies,” said Hopkins.
“Using the licensed technology, Knudra's RediModel phenotyping platform will allow researchers to rapidly generate and observe loss-of-function phenotype from CRISPR/Cas9-generated knockout alleles,” he added.
Hopkins explained CRISPR/Cas9 generated knock-ins are being designed into the RediModel platform to aid researchers in assigning pathogenic or benign statuses to clinical variants.
“By attaining a non-exclusive licensing in CRISPR/Cas9 technology, Knudra gains access to a technology that it can combine with its own issued biosensor patents to create a portfolio of proprietary RediModel products,” said Hopkins.
“The result is a new technology class of humanized model organisms that is expected to have a profound impact on disease understanding and drug discovery.”