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Genetics & Biotechnology vocabulary · Genetic Engineering and CRISPR

guide RNA

Meaning in genetics & biotechnology, with examples

nounCommon term

In genetics & biotechnology, guide RNA means: A short RNA molecule that leads a CRISPR enzyme such as Cas9 to the exact DNA sequence to be cut, by matching about 20 bases of the target.

In Turkish: kılavuz RNA, rehber RNA, gRNA

How it is used

Used in every CRISPR project, often shortened to gRNA or sgRNA (single guide RNA). Researchers design, test and clone guide RNAs. A good guide sits next to a PAM sequence (NGG for the most common Cas9) and has few off-target matches. People often test several guides per gene.

Example sentences

  1. We designed three guide RNAs against exon 2 and kept the most efficient one.

  2. The guide RNA must sit right next to a PAM site.

Common collocations

  • design a guide RNA
  • single guide RNA (sgRNA)
  • guide RNA efficiency
  • guide RNA library
  • CRISPRA gene-editing technology, adapted from a bacterial defense system, in which a guide RNA leads an enzyme such as Cas9 to a chosen DNA sequence so that it can be cut and changed.
  • off-target effectAn unwanted change at a place in the genome that was not intended, for example when a CRISPR guide RNA also cuts a similar sequence somewhere else.
  • gene editingMaking precise, targeted changes to the DNA of a living cell or organism, such as cutting out, correcting or inserting a sequence at a chosen position.
  • knockoutA cell or organism in which a specific gene has been made inactive on purpose, so that researchers can study what happens without it.

More terms: Genetic Engineering and CRISPR

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