Functional genomics investigates how a gene in the genome works, for example by understanding where it is translated into a protein. Functional genomics allows us to do this genome-wide, so scientists can ask multiple questions in one experiment by knocking out, turning on or changing multiple genes.
The most powerful tool in functional genomics, CRISPR, allows this to be done at a scale, which was once thought impossible, because it is easily programmable. Tools like CRISPR help scientists further understand the function of genetic variants, pointing the way to novel therapies. We know that genetically validated targets are twice as likely to succeed during clinical evaluation [1].
Accelerating functional genomics: the Laboratory for Genomics Research
We want to automate and scale existing CRISPR technologies – that’s why we recently announced our collaboration with the University of California to establish a new Laboratory for Genomics Research (LGR).