SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND INNOVATION
Our Commitment During the COVID-19 Pandemic

We are fast-tracking all inquiries, collaborations, orders, and shipments related to COVID-19 research and development efforts.
We’re here to help and support your research.
The health of our employees and their families, our customers and scientific community is our top priority. During this time of uncertainty related to the spread of COVID-19, we recognize the need for action that supports the scientific experts who are collaborating to quickly develop tests and vaccines.
We continue to monitor the situation closely, so we can protect our employees and deliver on our promise to customers at this difficult time.
Please take care of yourself and each other, and stay healthy.
Genome Engineering Tools to Accelerate COVID-19 Research and Development
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an urgent response from the research and scientific community around the world. The scientific community needs innovative tools that enable rapid development of COVID-19 diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines. Synthego is supporting this effort by utilizing our integrated and industrialized genome engineering factories to quickly and effectively translate the findings from recent SARS-CoV-2 reports into effective research tools.
SARS-CoV-2 Guide RNAs
Advanced RNA
Guide RNAs that target the SARS-CoV-2 RNA genome, available for either Cas13a (viral detection) or Cas13d (in vivo viral targeting). For convenience, we used some bioinformatics to produce a list of 50 optimized guide RNAs from over 80 SARS-CoV-2 RNA sample submissions to the Virus Pathogen Resource.
Download Sequences | Order Now info@labospace.com
Inspired by the early work of Prof. Feng Zhang and collaborators at The Broad Institute and MIT who published Cas13a CRISPR-based diagnostic test to identify the virus (Protocol) and Prof. Stanley Qi’s lab who developed a Cas13d CRISPR-based potential therapeutic approach. For a great primer on how you can get started working with Cas13, please check out this incredibly helpful tips and tricks from Feng Zhang’s lab.
SARS-CoV-2 Human Interactome Gene Knockout Kits and Libraries
Gene Knockout Kit v2
The Gene Knockout Kit v2 implements a novel multi-guide strategy that consists of up to three spatially coordinated modified sgRNAs that induce fragment deletions. Powered by Synthego’s smart informatics, our design tool generates custom multi-guide sgRNA designs that reliably knock out any human protein-coding gene, including the SARS-CoV-2 Interactome genes, on the first try.
SARS-CoV-2 Interactome Library
Pre-defined Arrayed CRISPR sgRNA gene knockout library targeting 330 human proteins known to interact with SARS-CoV-2 viral proteins. Gain insights into the molecular mechanisms behind the pathogenesis of the novel coronavirus. Designed with Synthego’s proprietary multi-guide design for optimal knockout efficiency.
Druggable SARS-CoV-2 Interactome Library
Pre-defined Arrayed CRISPR sgRNA gene knockout library targeting 63 druggable human proteins known to interact with SARS-CoV-2 viral proteins. Gain insights into potential therapeutic targets for the novel coronavirus. Designed with Synthego’s proprietary multi-guide design for optimal knockout efficiency.
We were inspired to develop a series of CRISPR gene knockout tools for perturbing proteins that interact with the virus after reviewing a recent Nature publication “A SARS-CoV-2 protein interaction map reveals targets for drug repurposing.” This was a multi-institutional research effort led by Prof. Nevan Krogan of UCSF.
We hope this allows researchers to systematically determine the functional relevance of these interactions and conduct validation screens for antiviral therapeutics that target druggable genes.
Recent COVID-19 Resources
Here is a running (non-comprehensive) list of information, resources, and publications.
CRISPR Office Hours: Keep Calm and CRISPR On During COVID-19
Weekly CRISPR Office Hours: a virtual forum with genome engineers, researchers, and other life science professionals that meets on a weekly basis to discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on science and our lives. Think of CRISPR Office Hours as a virtual lab meeting, an opportunity to stay connected with your peers, and a place to share alternative methods to obtain scientific information.
Join the Guest List | Watch Recordings info@labospace.com
Coronavirus Detection Using CRISPR Diagnostics
As the fight against coronavirus disease intensifies, CRISPR is at the forefront of this battle. Recently, Mammoth Biosciences and Prof. Feng Zhang’s SHERLOCK team have independently reported CRISPR-based platforms for sensitive detection of viral RNA.
Point-of-care testing for COVID-19 using SHERLOCK diagnostics
Bioinformatic Design of Cas13 Guide RNAs Targeting SARS-CoV-2
Synthego’s bioinformatics team generated CRISPR-Cas13 guide RNA designs that specifically target SARS-CoV-2 conserved RNA sequences to support genome engineering researchers develop rapid solutions for the COVID-19 pandemic. There are two types of sequences freely available for download: Cas13d guide RNAs for therapeutic development and Cas13a guide RNAs for diagnostics purposes.
Tips For Scientists to Effectively Work from Home
The COVID-19 pandemic has turned our life upside down. Especially for scientists, who are used to working in the lab, this new work from home lifestyle can be daunting. In this blog post, we provide tips and resources to help scientists efficiently transition into a new working routine.
Feng Lab SHERLOCK Cas13 protocol for COVID-19 Dx
Publications
We’re monitoring all of the research on SARS-CoV-2 that is being published. Take a look at a few interesting publications & pre-prints that we’ve found!
CRISPR–Cas12-based detection of SARS-CoV-2
Nature Biotechnology
Broughton, et al. 2020
Inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 infections in engineered human tissues using clinical-grade soluble human ACE2
Cell
Montiel, et al. 2020
Structural basis of receptor recognition by SARS-CoV-2
Nature
Shang, et al. 2020
A SARS-CoV-2 protein interaction map reveals targets for drug repurposing
Nature
Gordon, et al. 2020
An orally bioavailable broad-spectrum antiviral inhibits SARS-CoV-2 in human airway epithelial cell cultures and multiple coronaviruses in mice
Science Translational Medicine
Sheahan, et al. 2020
SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) by the numbers
eLife Microbiology and Infectious Disease
Bar-on, et al. 2020
Development of CRISPR as an antiviral strategy to combat SARSCoV-2 and influenza
Cell
Abbott, et al. 2020