At the conflux of human genome engineering and induced pluripotency

Abstract

Human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) represent a personalized stem cell source and enable research using the human as a model genetic system. Although iPSCs have been available for nearly a decade, simple application of efficient genome modification-a mainstay of genetics in the long-used mouse model-has only recently come to fruition. Recombinant and programmable nucleases induce targeted DNA damage and exploit native DNA-repair machinery to generate random mutations or designer modifications through a template-mediated process. In this review, we provide an overview of state-of-the-art nuclease technologies such as ZFN, TALEN, and CRISPR/Cas9 and their utility for genome engineering of human iPSCs. We explore how nucleases may be used to edit the genome with base-pair precision, and methods for the detection and avoidance of off-target cleavage. Finally, we highlight sources of genetic and technical variation in iPSCs, and propose resolutions to the question of appropriate isogenic controls.