While CRISPR-Cas9 is best known as a programmable sequence-specific DNA endonuclease for gene editing applications, it can also be harnessed as a powerful programmable RNA binding protein. While the same DNA is present in each and every cell of our bodies, the function of each cell is driven by a completely different set of RNA molecules. As a result, cell-based RNA detection tools are critical for scientists to study healthy and diseased cellular processes, and to use that knowledge to develop new diagnostics and therapeutics.
Dahlia Biosciences is using CRISPR-Cas9 technology to develop RNA detection reagents that will plug seamlessly into existing cell-based microscopy and flow cytometry workflows across two complementary applications: fixed-cell analysis and live-cell sorting.