02879: Use of CRISPR-based Genome-wide Approach for Identification of Vulnerabilities in Canine Oral Melanoma
Grant Status: Open
Abstract
Oral melanoma is a frequently occurring cancer in dogs. Currently there are few effective therapies for this disease. This study aims to identify the genes necessary for cancer cells to grow using a tool called CRISPR whole genome knock-out library. This tool has the capacity to shut down nearly 18,000 out of 21,000 genes in the canine genome. The tool’s library contains viral vectors that can infect melanoma cell lines while being able to turn off a single gene in a single cell. After cells grow in culture, investigators will perform sequencing to see which of the virus sequences remain (cells are still alive, gene is not necessary) and which of the virus sequences are not present (cells are dead, thus the gene was needed). This process distinguishes the genes specific for melanoma development. Subsequently investigators will validate the genes found using drugs, specifically targeting these genes. Through an in-depth analysis of melanomas, this study may find novel approaches for treatment of this devastating disease with drugs specifically targeting the genes needed in the presence of melanoma cells.
Publication(s)
None at this time.
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