Alyssa is a Scientific Curator at Addgene. She received her PhD in cancer biology from Scripps Research. She loves unique animal models, all things CRISPR, and sharing science with everyone.
Previously, we provided a general overview of the QC process at Addgene. All plasmids go through this same initial QC process using an Illumina MiSeq, but that’s not the only technology Addgene uses to ensure accuracy of deposited plasmids. To resolve QC issues, assembly issues, ...
An oldie but a goodie — a phrase used to refer to something that has fallen out of fashion but is still useful and most importantly, effective. In the research world, there is a myriad of tools this could be applied to. When it comes to altering gene expression, CRISPR ...
Nobody’s perfect! This is a platitude I’m sure we have all heard. It’s a truth that extends to both people and the tools we use. Scientists utilize an array of tools that rely on DNA amplification and manipulation to produce and edit plasmids. These are prone to error — both ...
What’s in a type? That which we call CRISPR, by any other name would…probably still edit genomes.
The versatility of CRISPR allows you to play with DNA in a number of ways, from small edits that change single base pairs, to chromosomal inversions and large deletions. Many of these methods rely on Cas9 or a derivative of Cas9, but the ever-expanding repertoire of CRISPR has ...
Forward genetics screens are a valuable part of the molecular biology toolbox to identify new target genes for drug discovery or to understand the intricacies of molecular pathways. These screens have gotten larger, easier, and more comprehensive thanks to the consistent ...
Injections in mice are a day-to-day task for many labs. Deciding which type of injection to use depends on a number of factors. You have to weigh the pros and cons of various methods and choose what is best for you — and the mice. While not an exhaustive list, these can include ...
Pre-made viruses have become increasingly accessible and are useful for saving time and avoiding potentially costly set-ups. However, there are many cases where the specific viral particles you need are not available, or the cost of custom viruses are too high for your budget. ...
