CRISPR Abbreviations and Definitions
Whether you’re new to genome editing or an experienced scientist, it can be challenging to keep up with the terminology, definitions, and abbreviations, particularly when it has to do with such rapidly advancing technology as CRISPR.
CRISPR genome editing has revolutionized biological sciences, from medicine to agriculture to industry, making it possible to edit the DNA sequence of almost any living organism. Keeping up with this technology, however, can be overwhelming.
The uses, applications, and techniques of CRISPR seem to expand on a monthly basis, making it necessary to stay on top of the latest CRISPR-related abbreviations. We’re here to make things easier for you! We’ve compiled a handy list of CRISPR abbreviations and definitions to keep on a lab shelf, desk drawer, or back-pocket cheat sheet!
CRISPR and DNA Related Abbreviations
As promised, here are some abbreviations and definitions you will come across during your CRISPR genome editing studies:
A.s. – Acidaminococcus species
Cas – CRISPR-associated (enzyme)
Cpf1 – Another name for Cas12a. Technically, Cpf1 stands for “CRISPR from Prevotella and Francisella 1”
CRISPR – Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats
CRISPRa – CRISPR-mediated gene activation
CRISPRi – CRISPR interference
crRNA – CRISPR RNA
dCas9 – Dead Cas9 (catalytically dead Cas9)
DSB – Double-strand break (double-strand DNA break)
dsDNA – Double-stranded DNA
FACS – Fluorescence-activated cell sorting
FASTA – A file format for DNA and protein sequences (it stands for Fast Alignment and Search Tool-All)
gRNA – Guide RNA
GUIDE-seq – Genome-wide unbiased identification of DSBs evaluated by sequencing
HDR – Homology-directed repair
IFN – Interferon
IVT – In vitro transcription
L.b. – Lachnospiraceae bacterium
NCBI – National Center for Biotechnology Information
NGS – Next generation sequencing
NHEJ – Non-homologous end joining
NLS – Nuclear localization sequence
PAM – Protospacer-adjacent motif
PCR – Polymerase chain reaction
RNAi – RNA interference
RNP – Ribonucleoprotein
S.p. – Streptococcus pyogenes
sgRNA – Single-guide RNA
ssDNA – Single-stranded DNA
ssODN – Single-stranded oligodeoxynucleotide
T7EI – T7 endonuclease I
TALEN – Transcription activator-like effector nuclease
tracrRNA – Transactivating CRISPR RNA
ZFN – Zinc finger nuclease
Download our free CRISPR Basics Handbook
If you’re looking for more helpful CRISPR information and reminders, we’ve got you covered. Just download our free CRISPR Basics Handbook.
- How does CRISPR work?
- What are the applications beyond simple editing?
- What do you need to start your CRISPR experiment?
- What are the different Cas enzymes?
- How do you design guide RNAs? How do you analyze gene editing at on- and off-target locations?
- What are IDT’s CRISPR products?
It’s all there in this comprehensive, easy-to-digest CRISPR handbook … and much, much more! Even experienced gene editors will discover valuable insights and new techniques in The CRISPR Basics Handbook.
