CRISPRoffT: comprehensive database of CRISPR/Cas off-targets

Area of Science:

• Molecular Biology
• Genetics
• Bioinformatics

Background:

• CRISPR-Cas gene editing offers therapeutic potential but faces challenges with off-target effects.
• Improving the safety and accuracy of CRISPR technologies is crucial for clinical translation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop CRISPRoffT, a comprehensive repository of predicted and validated CRISPR off-target regions.
• To facilitate the development of safer gene-editing therapies and enhance prediction algorithms.

Main Methods:

• Integrated off-target analysis data from 74 studies.
• Included 29 experimental prediction techniques, 368 guide sequences, and 8840 validated off-targets.
• Covered various CRISPR approaches (knockout, base editing, prime editing) across 34 cell lines and 85 Cas/gRNA combinations.

Main Results:

• CRISPRoffT provides a unified resource for off-target data from diverse experimental conditions.
• The database enables comparative analyses across guide sequences, genes, cell types, and techniques.
• Offers insights into off-target profiles for different CRISPR editing systems.

Conclusions:

• CRISPRoffT is a valuable resource for safety-driven design of CRISPR therapeutics.
• It supports the advancement of computational off-target prediction and guide RNA design algorithms.
• Facilitates informed experimental design in gene editing research.