A Scalable and Cost-Effective Method for Single-Cell CRISPR Screens

Introduction

CRISPR screens have revolutionized the study of gene function, but traditional methods are limited in their throughput and cost. Here, we introduce Perturb-seq, a new method that enables high-throughput single-cell CRISPR screens at a fraction of the cost of existing approaches.

Method

Perturb-seq uses a single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) readout in pooled CRISPR screens to assay the effects of genetic perturbations on individual cells. This approach allows for the simultaneous screening of thousands of genes in a single experiment, with high sensitivity and specificity.

Results

We demonstrate the power of Perturb-seq by performing a genome-wide CRISPR screen for genes essential for cell viability. We identified hundreds of new essential genes, including many that were previously unknown.

Conclusion

Perturb-seq is a powerful and versatile method for single-cell CRISPR screens. Its scalability, cost-effectiveness, and high sensitivity make it an ideal tool for studying gene function in a wide range of biological contexts. This method will enable researchers to gain new insights into the molecular basis of human health and disease.