MRC-AZ-University of Cambridge joint functional genomics screening laboratory

This article and associated images are based on a poster originally authored by Ulrike Künzel, Chun Hao Wong, Erica Bello, Antigoni Gogolou, Shaun Maguire, Ben Pearson, Davide Gianni, Coralie Viollet, Ceri Wiggins and Nicola McCarthy and presented at ELRIG Drug Discovery 2024 in affiliation with AstraZeneca and the University of Cambridge. 

This poster is being hosted on this website in its raw form, without modifications. It has not undergone peer review but has been reviewed to meet AZoNetwork's editorial quality standards. The information contained is for informational purposes only and should not be considered validated by independent peer assessment.

Collaborative effort in functional genomics

• A new academic-industry partnership between the Medical Research Council (MRC), Astra Zeneca, and the University of Cambridge.
• Hosted at the Milner Therapeutics Institute (MTI)
• Part of the UK’s Human Functional Genomics Initiative, contributing to the UK’s ambition of having the world's most advanced genomic healthcare system.
• Opportunity to access the arrayed screening platform for UK-based academic researchers and small and medium-sized enterprises
• A collaborative effort to identify novel genes and therapeutic targets implicated in tissue development and disease etiology

Arrayed CRISPR screening facilitates multiplexing of complex phenotypic endpoints

• One gene is targeted in each well of microwell plates (e.g., 96- or 384-well plate), enabling straightforward genotype-phenotype association.
• It is highly compatible with high-content endpoints, such as morphological imaging, flow cytometry, or other plate-based phenotypic assays (e.g., ELISA).
• Screen can be performed from tens of genes up to whole genome scale (~19,000)

Focus on complex human disease cellular models

• We will consider applications that cover human in vitro models outside of oncology:
  • Co-culture models
  • Organoids and 3D models
  • Primary or iPSC-derived cells
• Models need to be genetically tractable (e.g., have been successfully perturbed using CRISPR, siRNA, or shRNA) and scalable, with enough material provided or produced through culture.

Figure 1. Workflow for arrayed CRISPR screens at the FGSL. Image Credit: Image courtesy of Ulrike Künzel et al., in partnership with ELRIG (UK) Ltd.

Application process, reviews and expected outcomes

Image Credit: Image courtesy of Ulrike Künzel et al., in partnership with ELRIG (UK) Ltd.

First round of applications: Eight proposals received

Image Credit: Image courtesy of Ulrike Künzel et al., in partnership with ELRIG (UK) Ltd.

About AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is a global, science-led patient-focused pharmaceutical company that focuses on transforming the future of healthcare by unlocking the power of what science can do for people, society and the planet.

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