Target Identification & HIT Discovery to Find New Cancer Targets

LIDE has 2 functional library screening platforms, which could discover new targets by evaluating the effect of the knockout/knockdown of specific genes.

CRISPR/Cas9 Screens
Genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 screens are mature, powerful tools for large-scale identification of new targets for cancer. LIDE is practiced in this methodology but much more excited about the possibilities of RNAi screening.

High Throughput RNAi Screening
Compared to genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 screens, arrayed pro-siRNA library targeting all individual genes expressed in target cells and screen for candidate genes involved in any phenotype. Pro-siRNAs system utilize the unique function of the p19 protein, which can bind to and stabilize ~21-nt double-stranded RNA species produced by endogenous RNase III in E. coli. The pro-siRNA screening strategy is to clone mRNAs, isolated from the target cells, into a suitable pro-siRNA producing plasmid to create a pro-siRNA plasmid library.

Major advantages of pro-siRNA screen

  • Represent the transcriptome (all expressed genes) in the screen cells
  • pro-siRNA produces efficient knockdown of the target gene but fewer off-target effects comparing to a single siRNA sequence
  • pro-siRNA can potentially target a gene family and copy amplified genes
  • Low cost because bacteria are used as the factory of siRNA

LIDE is currently seeking partnerships and risk-sharing collaborations with interested companies to validate our HITs and invest in validated lead molecules.

Contact us to learn more.

 

Fig. Schematic of high throughput screening using pro-siRNA

Fig. Schematic of high throughput screening using pro-siRNA