Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Harvard College

Regeneran Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Guochun Gong

Ka-Man Venus Lai

David M Valenzuela

David Frendewey

Charleen Hunt

Brian Zambrowicz

Suzanne Hartford

Aris N Economides

Jesper Gromada

Michael L LaCroix-Fralish

John L Rinn

Jason Mastaitis

Daisuke Kajimura

Burcin Ikiz

Amanda Atanasio

Andrew J Murphy

Susannah Brydges

Michael L Lacroix-Fralish

Methods and compositions are provided herein for assessing CRISPR/Cas-mediated non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) activity and/or CRISPR/Cas-induced recombination of a target genomic locus with an exogenous donor nucleic acid in vivo and ex vivo. The methods and compositions employ cells and non-human animals comprising a Cas expression cassette such as a genomically integrated Cas expression cassette so that the Cas protein can be constitutively available or available in a tissue-specific or temporal-specific manner. Methods and compositions are also provided for making and using these non-human animals, including use of these non-human animals to assess CRISPR/Cas activity in vivo via adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated delivery of guide RNAs to the non-human animals.

Cas-ready mouse embryonic stem cells and mice and uses thereof

Provided are non-human animals comprising a mutation in the Fbn1 gene to model neonatal progeroid syndrome with congenital lipodystrophy (NPSCL). Also provided are methods of making such non-human animal models. The non-human animal models can be used for screening compounds for activity in inhibiting or reducing NPSCL or ameliorating NPSCL-like symptoms or screening compounds for activity potentially harmful in promoting or exacerbating NPSCL as well as to provide insights in to the mechanism of NPSCL and potentially new therapeutic and diagnostic targets.

Fibrillin-1 mutations for modeling neonatal progeroid syndrome with congenital lipodystrophy

Genetically modified non-human animals are provided that exhibit a functional lack of one or more lncRNAs. Methods and compositions for disrupting, deleting, and/or replacing lncRNA-encoding sequences are provided. Genetically modified mice that age prematurely are provided. Also provided are cells, tissues and embryos that are genetically modified to comprise a loss-of-function of one or more lncRNAs.

Method for screening gene expression in lincRNA-deficient mice or rats

A non-human animal model for neurodegenerative and/or inflammatory diseases is provided, which non-human animal comprises a disruption in a C9ORF72 locus. In particular, non-human animals described herein comprise a deletion of an entire coding sequence of a C9ORF72 locus. Methods of identifying therapeutic candidates that may be used to prevent, delay or treat one or more neurodegenerative (e.g., amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, also referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD)), autoimmune and/or inflammatory diseases (e.g., SLE, glomerulonephritis) are also provided.

Non-human animals having a disruption in a C9ORF72 locus

Non-human animal cells and non-human animals comprising CRISPR/Cas synergistic activation mediator system components and methods of making and using such non-human animal cells and non-human animals are provided. Methods are provided for using such non-human animals to increase expression of target genes in vivo and to assess CRISPR/Cas synergistic activation mediator systems for the ability to increase expression of target genes in vivo.

Transcription modulation in animals using CRISPR/Cas systems

Methods and compositions are provided for assessing CRISPR/Cas-mediated non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) activity and/or CRISPR/Cas-induced recombination of a target genomic locus with an exogenous donor nucleic acid in vivo or ex vivo. The methods and compositions employ non-human animals comprising a CRISPR reporter such as a genomically integrated CRISPR reporter for detecting and measuring targeted excision of a sequence between two CRISPR/Cas nuclease cleavage sites or disruption of a sequence near a CRISPR/Cas nuclease cleavage site and/or measuring CRISPR/Cas-induced recombination of the CRISPR reporter with an exogenous donor nucleic acid to convert the coding sequence for a first reporter protein to the coding sequence for a different second reporter protein. Methods and compositions are also provided for making and using these non-human animals.

Methods and compositions for assessing CRISPER/Cas-mediated disruption or excision and CRISPR/Cas-induced recombination with an exogenous donor nucleic acid in vivo

The invention provides stem cell derived beta-pancreatic cells and animal models of T2D in which cells have been grafted. The stem cells bear a mutated form of SLC30A8 conferring protection or susceptibility to T2D. The cells and animal models can be used for drug screening as well as to provide insights into the mechanism of T2D and potentially new therapeutic and diagnostic targets.

Stem cells for modeling type 2 diabetes

Targeting constructs and methods of using them are provided for differentiation-dependent modification of nucleic acid sequences in cells and in non-human animals. Targeting constructs comprising a promoter operably linked to a recombinase are provided, wherein the promoter drives transcription of the recombinase in an differentiated cell but not an undifferentiated cell. Promoters include Blimp1, Prm1, Gata6, Gata4, Igf2, Lhx2, Lhx5, and Pax3. Targeting constructs with a cassette flanked on both sides by recombinase sites can be removed using a recombinase gene operably linked to a 3'-UTR that comprises a recognition site for an miRNA that is transcribed in undifferentiated cells but not in differentiated cells. The constructs may be included in targeting vectors, and can be used to automatically modify or excise a selection cassette from an ES cell, a non-human embryo, or a non-human animal.

Growing community of inventors

Elmsford, NY, United States of America

Guochun Gong