Primary cell models offer increased biological relevance compared to traditional immortalized cell lines. For this reason, researchers often prefer to use primary cells to study gene function, interrogate molecular pathways, or model a disease.
Performing gene manipulation in primary cells allows researchers to:
- Obtain clinically-relevant phenotypic data
- Avoid misleading hits from non-reproducible phenotypes
- Reduce the risk of unforeseen downstream complications in the drug discovery pipeline
Horizon offers reliable siRNA and CRISPR based solutions for researchers to perform loss- or gain-of-function experiments in biologically relevant models, including stem cells, immune cells, and neurons.
Immune cells
Functional genomics studies in primary immune cells are providing new opportunities for drug target identification and validation, and accelerating the development of diagnostic tools and therapies across a broad spectrum of diseases.
Horizon is focused on optimizing strategies and research tools for RNAi and CRISPR based gene manipulation and screening in primary T and B cell models.
Stem cells
Performing functional genomics experiments in primary stem cells provides insight into developmental pathways and the genes involved in hereditary and autoimmune diseases.
Horizon offers many resources to support the use of our research tools for RNAi and CRISPR based gene manipulation and screening in primary stem cell models.
Neurons
Functional genomic studies in primary neurons provide better understanding of the genetic basis for neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington’s and multiple sclerosis.
Horizon offers the following resources to support the use of our research tools for RNAi and CRISPR based gene manipulation and screening in primary neuron cell models.
Build a custom CRISPR or siRNA library
Design your own primary cell screening library with as few as 20 individual siRNA or CRISPR guide RNA using our Cherry-Pick Library Tool. Simply upload your gene list to get started!
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Gene knockdown
Accell™ self-delivering synthetic siRNA by Dharmacon™ is an ideal solution for non-viral RNAi in difficult-to-transfect primary cell models.
Gene knockout
Edit-R™ synthetic sgRNA are fully guaranteed to edit the target gene of interest, and designed to maximize the effectiveness of functional gene knockout in primary cell lines.
Gene activation
CRISRPa can activate endogenous gene expression for gain-of-function studies within the primary cell's native context.
Immune Cell Resources
The best siRNA transfection reagent for primary macrophages?
A research team in from Ottowa Canada recently published a study recommending DharmaFECT3 transfection reagent as the most effective and least toxic options for siRNA delivery into primary human macrophages.
References for CRISPR based gene editing in primary cells
These papers used Edit-R guide RNA to successfully edit, knockout and/or knock-in their target gene of interest in primary or stem cell lines.
RNAi techniques for difficult-to-transfect immune cell types
This application note outlines an experimental workflow for successful gene knockdown in T-cells using Accell self-delivering siRNA.
References for siRNA mediated gene silencing in primary cells
Find examples of Accell self-delivering siRNA by Dharmacon being used for functional gene knockdown in over 26 different primary cell lines.
Stem Cell Resources
Gene manipulation in human iPSCs
This application note details CRISPR based gene editing methods for functional gene knockout, endogenous gene activation, and HDR mediated fluorescent reporter gene knock-in in human induced pluripotent stem cells.
References for CRISPR based gene editing in stem cells
These papers used Edit-R guide RNA to successfully edit, knockout and/or knock-in their target gene of interest in primary or stem cell lines..
Transfecting siRNA into embryonic stem cells
This application note features the use of DharmaFECT™ transfection reagents for synthetic siRNA transfection into embryonic stem cells.
Neuron Resources
RNAi techniques for difficult-to-transfect neuronal cell types
This application note outlines an experimental workflow for successful gene knockdown in neuroblastoma cells using Accell self-delivering siRNA.
A novel ex vivo application of RNAi for neuroscience
This application note details successful ex vivo RNAi in brain slice culture neurons using Accell siRNA.
Elucidating the role of factors important in neurite outgrowth using shRNA
This application note describes how the combination of SMARTvector™ lentiviral shRNA and high content analysis technologies provides multiple layers of important cellular data.