The mission of the GESC is to empower its users with access to the most up-to-date technologies in the fields of gene editing and stem cells and enable the creation of research models best fit for the unique need of each lab.

Using Clustered, Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) technologies as its core technologies, the GESC creates investigator-specified targeted modifications in cancer and stem cell lines, designs and validates targeting reagents for animal model generation and provides various genotyping assistances. On the stem cell front, the GESC creates induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from patient samples and differentiates iPSCs into disease-relevant cell types, supporting research in personalized medicine.

Core Description

The GESC uses engineered endonucleases, primarily CRISPRs, to create targeted modifications of mammalian genomes in order to speed scientific discovery, validate therapeutic targets, and increase scientific productivity.
Through our iPSC and cell engineering core services, we work with investigators to create custom, user-defined  modifications in cancer and stem cells, including single base pair point mutations, small insertions or deletions, large insertions or deletions, gene knockout, and even multiplex modifications.
 We also provide custom nuclease services to create and validate CRISPRs for researchers to perform gene editing in their own labs or have animal models created.
Working with research and medical investigators, we expand and bank patients fibroblast and renal epithelial cell cultures, as well as derive, characterization, and modify iPSC lines from patient samples. The GESC provides services to differentiate iPSCs into a growing list of cell types, such as neurons, cardiomyocytes, hepatocytes, monocytes, hematopoietic stem cells, macrophages.

Access

Service available to All entities, including for-profit organizations.

Priority service for Washington University and other non-profit organizations.

Services

  • gRNA and/or donor design, assembly and validation in cultured cells for investigators who are making an animal model or wish to do cell line engineering themselves
  • Cancer cell line engineering-to introduce investigator-specified genetic modifications, including knockout and knockin, into the genome of a cancer cell line chosen by the investigator
  • Stem cell engineering--to introduce investigator-specified genetic modifications, including knockout and knockin, into the genome of an iPS or human ES cell line chosen by the investigator
  • NGS-based genotyping for cell lines and tissues from investigators who are making an animal model or wish to do cell line engineering themselves
  • Patient fibroblasts (from skin biopsy), renal epithelial cells (from urine sample), and PBMCs (from whole blood) isolation, expansion and banking
  • Reprogramming patient cells from above to iPSCs and characterization of the iPSCs, such as karyotyping, pluripotency staining and embryoid body formation and germ layer staining
  • Pluripotency staining of iPSCs and hESCs
  • Embryoid body formation of iPSCs and hESCs
  • Differentiation of iPSCs or hESCs to neuronal lineages, cardiomyocytes, hematopoietic stem cells, macrophages, etc.
  • Hands-on, on-demand training on iPSC culturing
  • NGS-based STR profiling for cell line authentication
  • Mycoplasma testing
  • CRIPSR library design and construction and screening and analysis
  • General molecular biology assistance

Equipment

  • Biomek FX
  • Appliedbiosystems Quant Studio3 Real-Time PCR system
  • Lonza 4D X-unit Nucleofector
  • Sony Cell Sorter SH800
  • Cell Metric Imager (Solentim)
  • Biotek Synergy HTX Multi-mode Reader
  • Biotek MultiFlo Washer and Dispenser
  • Tecan Fluent liquid handler
  • IncuCyte Imager S3

Pricing

Please contact this core directly for pricing information.

AFFILIATIONS
Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (ADRC)
Hope Center for Neurological Disorders (HCND)
Institute of Clinical and Translational Sciences (ICTS)
Siteman Cancer Center (SCC)
McDonnell Genome Institute
Department of Genetics