CRISPR screens in the era of microbiomes. (October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rousset, François; Bikard, David
• Is Part Of: Current opinion in microbiology. Volume 57(2020)
• Page Start: 70
• Page End: 77
• Publication Date: 2020-10
• Subjects: Microbiology -- Periodicals; 579.05
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2020.07.009
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1369-5274

Abstract

Highlights: CRISPR screens enable the investigation of gene function in high-throughput. CRISPR screens can be performed on bacteria or host cells. Cas9 and dCas9 are used to mutate genes or inhibit their expression respectively. Pooled and arrayed screens can access different phenotypes. New CRISPR technologies such as base-editing have a great potential for screening. Abstract : Recent advances in genomics have uncovered the tremendous diversity and richness of microbial ecosystems. New functional genomics methods are now needed to probe gene function in high-throughput and provide mechanistic insights. Here, we review how the CRISPR toolbox can be used to inactivate, repress or overexpress genes in a sequence-specific manner and how this offers diverse attractive solutions to identify gene function in high-throughput. Developed both in eukaryotes and prokaryotes, CRISPR screening technologies have already provided meaningful insights in microbiology and host-pathogen interactions. In the era of microbiomes, the versatility and the functional diversity of CRISPR-derived tools has the potential to significantly improve our understanding of microbial communities and their interaction with the host.