HSD17B13 variants and uses thereof

A method of modifying or altering expression of an HSD17B13 gene in a cell, comprising introducing into the cell:

• (a) a Cas9 protein or a nucleic acid encoding the Cas9 protein;
• and
• (b) a first guide RNA or a DNA encoding the first guide RNA, wherein the first guide RNA comprises a first CRISPR RNA (crRNA) portion and a first trans-activating CRISPR RNA (tracrRNA) portion, wherein the first guide RNA forms a complex with the Cas9 protein and targets a first guide RNA target sequence within the HSD17B13 gene, wherein the first guide RNA target sequence includes or is proximate to the start codon for the HSD17B13 gene, and
• wherein the Cas9 protein cleaves the first guide RNA target sequence to generate a targeted genetic modification in the HSD17B13 gene or the Cas9 protein binds the first guide RNA target sequence and alters expression of the HSD17B13 gene.