TARGET DNA INTERFERENCE WITH crRNA
AssigneeNorthwestern University
InventorsErik J. Sontheimer, Luciano A. Marraffini
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Abstract
The present invention provides methods, systems, and compositions for interfering with the function and/or presence of a target DNA sequence in a eukaryotic cell (e.g., located in vitro or in a subject) using crRNA and CRISPR-associated (cas) proteins or cas encoding nucleic acids. The present invention also relates to a method for interfering with horizontal gene transfer based on the use of clustered, regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) sequences.
Claims20
A method of inhibiting the function and/or presence of a target DNA sequence in a eukaryotic cell comprising:
- administering crRNA and one or more cas proteins, or nucleic acid sequences encoding said one or more cas proteins, to a eukaryotic cell comprising a target DNA sequence, wherein said crRNA hybridizes with said target DNA sequence thereby interfering with the function and/or presence of said target DNA sequence.
A method of treating or preventing an infection comprising:
- administering crRNA and one or more cas proteins, or nucleic acid sequences encoding said one or more cas proteins, to a subject infected by a pathogen or at risk of infection by said pathogen, wherein said crRNA hybridizes to a target DNA sequence from said pathogen thereby interfering with the function and/or presence of said target DNA sequence.
A method of regulating gene transfer within a cell, tissue, or subject comprising inhibiting horizontal gene transfer, wherein clustered, regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) loci and CRISPR-associated (cas) protein-coding genes are configured within the DNA of said cell, tissue, or subject to inhibit horizontal gene transfer into said DNA of said cell, tissue, or subject.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.