Elrig Drug Discovery

October 21 - 22, 2025 at the Liverpool Exhibition Centre in Liverpool, United Kingdom

Stop by Booth G27 and say hello!

I. Poster Presentation 

Presented by: Paul Diehl, Ph.D., Cellecta COO

Tuesday, October 21 beside the Breakthrough Zone Theatre from 13:00 - 13:45

Wednesday, October 22 beside the Breakthrough Zone Theatre from 13:00 - 13:45

Presented by: Donato Tedesco, Ph.D., Cellecta Director of Research & Development

Presented by: Donato Tedesco, Ph.D., Cellecta Director of Research & Development

CRISPR genetic screens have revolutionized functional genomics by enabling systematic interrogation of gene function through the precise and efficient genome editing capabilities of CRISPR-Cas9 systems. These screens facilitate the identification of genes involved in various biological processes and disease mechanisms. When comparing pooled sgRNA library screens to traditional array format screens, several key advantages emerge: • High throughput and scalability • Cost efficiency • Simplified workflow • Reduced experimental variation However, a notable limitation of pooled library screens is the inability to directly assess the editing efficiency of each individual sgRNA within the pool. This can lead to false negatives if ineffective sgRNAs are present, potentially missing important gene functions. To address this limitation, it is crucial to utilize advanced sgRNA selection tools that maximize the likelihood of high on-target activity. Optimal sgRNA design reduces the risk of ineffective gene targeting and enhances the reliability of screening results. Publicly available sgRNA library design algorithms do exist, each with their own advantages and limitations. Cellecta has developed its own sgRNA selection algorithm, which incorporates additional layers of empirical validation and ranking rules to further enhance sgRNA efficacy. We will present the results of internal studies aimed at comparing the performance of different design algorithms, as well as the advantages, disadvantages, and target fields of application of hypercompact genome-wide and sub-genomic libraries.