# CRISPR screening as a service Contract functional-genetic CRISPR screening (pooled sgRNA libraries, lentiviral delivery, NGS) — identifies cancer-resistance genes and drug targets in weeks. Source: https://en.bioecon.ru/technology/crispr-screening-as-a-service/ Updated: 2026-09-02 ## Overview and value chain Markers: [EC: ATMP Regulation (EC No 1394/2007) | OECD: Bio-Pharmaceuticals | Regulator: FDA (USA), EMA (EU), NMPA (China)] CRISPR screening as a service is a large B2B/CRO segment: high-throughput functional-genetic screening in mammalian cells to find drug targets and resistance mechanisms. Pooled guide-RNA (sgRNA) libraries target knockout (CRISPR-KO), activation (CRISPRa) or inhibition (CRISPRi) of thousands of genes; delivery is by lentiviral vectors at multiplicity of infection MOI <1; readout is deep sequencing (NGS) with MAGeCK bioinformatics. A whole-genome library is 80,000–120,000 unique sgRNAs (4–6 guides per gene), with ≥ 500 cells per guide of coverage. Key platforms of CRISPR screening: 1. **Pooled libraries (Pooled CRISPR Libraries):** thousands of plasmids in one tube — the whole genome per experiment. 2. **CRISPRa/CRISPRi:** dCas9-VP64 (activation) and dCas9-KRAB (repression) without DNA breaks. 3. **Single-cell / Perturb-seq:** CRISPR screening + scRNA-seq — an expression profile per perturbation. 4. **Arrayed screens (Arrayed):** one guide per well — phenotypic readout. ### Sectoral value chain ``` [sgRNA library design] ──> [oligo synthesis + cloning] ──> [lentiviral packaging] │ (transduction, MOI<1) │ ▼ [targets (MAGeCK)] <─── [NGS + bioinformatics] <─── [cell selection/screen] ``` ### Value chain levels | Level | Description | Key inputs/outputs | |:---|:---|:---| | **Library Design** | sgRNA pool, 4–6 guides/gene, 80,000–120,000 sequences | **In:** gene list. **Out:** library design. | | **Synthesis & Cloning** | on-chip oligo synthesis, Gibson Assembly into vectors | **In:** oligos. **Out:** plasmid library. | | **Lentivirus Production** | production in HEK293T, titration (TU/ml) | **In:** plasmids, cells. **Out:** viral library. | | **Transduction** | infection at MOI = 0.3, puromycin selection | **In:** cells, virus. **Out:** transduced pool. | | **Selection & Readout** | selective pressure, DNA harvest, NGS | **In:** cell pool, toxin. **Out:** NGS data. | | **Bioinformatics** | MAGeCK/BAGEL — target ranking | **In:** NGS data. **Out:** target report. | Cross-cutting technologies of the sector: - **Pooled libraries (Pooled Libraries):** the whole human genome in one experiment. - **Perturb-seq:** CRISPR + scRNA-seq — an expression profile per gene perturbation. - **Robotic incubators:** Cytomat for pools with ≥ 500 cells/guide coverage. --- ## US The US holds the patent and commercial lead in contract CRISPR screening. ### Synthego, Revvity/Horizon, FDA IND decisions - **Synthego:** high-quality sgRNA synthesis and turnkey cell engineering. - **Horizon Discovery (Revvity):** the longest-running provider; CRISPRa/CRISPRi libraries. - **FDA:** relies on CRISPR-screening data when assessing IND candidates' mechanism of action. --- ## CN China bets on price and the scale of robotic cell culture. ### GenScript, Suzhou clusters, national sgRNA libraries - **GenScript:** largest B2B producer of plasmids and lentiviral libraries; screening on primary T-cells. - **Suzhou biopharma clusters:** screening at 2–3× lower cost than the US. - **China MOST:** national sgRNA libraries for crops and livestock. --- ## EU The EU prioritises Perturb-seq, structural biology and target de-risking. ### DKFZ/Max Delbrück, Perturb-seq, EMA de-risking - **DKFZ (Germany):** oncology screening, AI CRISPR-data analysis; glioblastoma resistance. - **Perturb-seq consortia (DE/FR):** rare resistance mechanisms to targeted therapy. - **EMA:** mandatory target de-risking on cell panels — steady B2B demand. --- ## Leading companies and research institutes | Company / Institute | Country | Key products / platforms | Tech features | Status 2026 | |:---|:---|:---|:---|:---| | **Synthego** | 🇺🇸 USA | sgRNA synthesis, cell engineering | turnkey automated knockout | Commercial | | **Horizon Discovery** | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | CRISPRa/CRISPRi libraries (Revvity) | longest-running SynBio libraries | Commercial | | **GenScript** | 🇨🇳 China | plasmids, lentiviral libraries | large-scale T-cell screening | Commercial | | **Cellecta** | 🇺🇸 USA | barcoded plasmids | Perturb-seq for cancer centers | Commercial | | **DKFZ** | 🇩🇪 Germany | oncology screening, AI analysis | glioblastoma resistance networks | Research | | **Broad Institute** | 🇺🇸 USA | Genetic Perturbation Platform (GPP) | reference genome-wide libraries | Research | --- ## Tech stack and innovations The stack rests on lentiviral vectors, variant Cas9 enzymes and NGS analytics. 1. **Lentiviral vectors (3rd generation):** - self-inactivating (SIN) HIV-1-based systems for stable sgRNA integration. 2. **Variant Cas9 (Modified Cas9):** - Cas9 (CRISPR-KO), dCas9-KRAB (CRISPRi), dCas9-VP64-p65-RTA (CRISPRa). 3. **NGS + bioinformatics:** - Illumina NovaSeq X Plus + MAGeCK/BAGEL for target ranking and false-positive control. --- ## Value chains and production pipelines ### Industrial pipeline of a B2B CRISPR-screening service ``` ┌───────────────────────────┐ ┌───────────────────────────┐ │ 1. crRNA library design │ ───> │ 2. Synthesis & cloning │ └───────────────────────────┘ └───────────────────────────┘ │ ▼ ┌───────────────────────────┐ ┌───────────────────────────┐ │ 4. Transduction MOI=0.3 │ <─── │ 3. Lentiviral production │ └───────────────────────────┘ └───────────────────────────┘ │ ▼ ┌───────────────────────────┐ ┌───────────────────────────┐ │ 5. Selection (toxin) │ ───> │ 6. NGS + MAGeCK report │ └───────────────────────────┘ └───────────────────────────┘ ``` #### Stage 1: Library design An sgRNA pool — 4–6 guides per gene, 80,000–120,000 sequences total — designed to the client's targets. #### Stage 2: Synthesis & cloning On-chip solid-phase oligo synthesis, Gibson Assembly cloning into lentiviral vectors. #### Stage 3: Lentiviral production Production in HEK293T, ultrafiltration concentration, titration (TU/ml). #### Stage 4: Transduction Cell infection (e.g. H1975) at MOI = 0.3 — one integration per cell; puromycin selection. #### Stage 5: Selection Experimental (with inhibitor) and control arms; 14 days; dead cells wash out of the pool. #### Stage 6: NGS & bioinformatics sgRNA-cassette PCR, NGS, MAGeCK ranks genes by enrichment/depletion — a resistance-target report.