Chapter 4: CRISPR/Cas-based Functional Genomic Approaches to Phenotypic Screening

Abstract

Arguably, one of the most exciting new technologies for drug discovery in recent years has been that of CRISPR. The ability to efficiently silence or activate gene expression at genome scale using CRISPR/Cas vectors coupled with a lower false-positive rate than previous gene editing approaches has the potential to revolutionise the search for novel drug targets. Here we describe how this technology is transforming target identification, and what the future holds for the integration of genome editing into phenotypic drug discovery. We will guide readers through the process of applying CRISPR technology to phenotypic drug discovery, from project start to completion, describing key considerations and technological advances to maximise success.