# How to Use Many CRISPR Guides to Study Many Genes at Once > This patent describes a method to use a large collection of CRISPR-Cas9 guide RNAs to target and modify many different genes or DNA regions across a population of eukaryotic cells, enabling high-throughput genetic screening. - **Patent:** US 20180305704 - **Original title:** Crispr-cas component systems, methods and compositions for sequence manipulation - **Owner:** Massachusetts Institute of Technology - **Status:** Active - **Times cited:** 44 - **Field:** biotech, gene_editing, pharmaceutical, research_tools ## What it does This patent describes a system for simultaneously studying many genes in living cells using CRISPR-Cas9. It involves a "composition" (Claim 1) of eukaryotic cells, like embryonic stem cells (Claim 2), that contain a "library" of 100 or more "guide RNAs." Each guide RNA is designed to target a "unique genomic locus" (Claim 1), meaning a specific spot in the cell's DNA. When these guide RNAs are introduced into the cell population, along with the Cas9 protein (Claim 11), they can direct the Cas9 to cut or modify many different genes. For example, this system can be used to create "knockout mutations" (Claim 5) in thousands of unique genes (Claim 17) to see how each gene affects a specific "pathway" like the immune system (Claim 7) or cell division (Claim 10). ## What it does NOT cover - Does not cover using CRISPR-Cas9 to target only a single specific gene in a cell, as the claims require a 'library' targeting a 'plurality of target sequences' (Claim 1). - Does not cover methods using fewer than 100 guide RNAs in the library (Claim 1 specifies '100 or more'). - Does not cover gene editing in prokaryotic cells (like bacteria) or other non-eukaryotic organisms (Claim 1 specifies 'eukaryotic cells'). - Does not cover CRISPR systems that do not use Cas9 protein, as the claims specifically mention 'CRISPR-Cas9 system guide RNAs' and 'Cas9 protein' (Claim 1, Claim 11). - Does not cover gene editing methods where the Cas9 protein is not directed by a guide RNA for sequence-specific binding (Claim 11). ## The clever bit The novelty lies in combining a large "library" of guide RNAs with a population of cells, enabling the simultaneous targeting of hundreds or thousands of unique genomic locations. This allows for parallel testing of many gene functions, rather than laboriously testing one gene at a time. ## Real-world examples 1. CRISPR-based drug target discovery platforms 2. Functional genomics screens in academic research 3. Research into cancer resistance mechanisms 4. Studies of immune system pathways 5. High-throughput genetic screens for essential genes ## Why it matters This patent is significant because it enables large-scale, systematic studies of gene function. Before this, understanding the role of every gene in a complex biological process was incredibly difficult and time-consuming. By providing a framework for high-throughput CRISPR screening, it allows researchers to quickly identify which genes are involved in diseases, drug responses, or fundamental biological pathways. This accelerates drug discovery and basic scientific understanding. ## Frequently asked questions ### What does How to Use Many CRISPR Guides to Study Many Genes at Once cover? This patent describes a method to use a large collection of CRISPR-Cas9 guide RNAs to target and modify many different genes or DNA regions across a population of eukaryotic cells, enabling high-throughput genetic screening. ### Who owns patent US 20180305704? This patent is owned by Massachusetts Institute of Technology. ### When does this patent expire? This patent is expected to expire on December 11, 2037, when the invention enters the public domain. ### What is patent US 20180305704 cited by? This patent has been cited by 44 later patents that build on its ideas. ### What problem does this patent solve? This patent is significant because it enables large-scale, systematic studies of gene function. Before this, understanding the role of every gene in a complex biological process was incredibly difficult and time-consuming. By providing a framework for high-throughput CRISPR screening, it allows researchers to quickly identify which genes are involved in diseases, drug responses, or fundamental biological pathways. This accelerates drug discovery and basic scientific understanding. ### What does this patent NOT cover? Does not cover using CRISPR-Cas9 to target only a single specific gene in a cell, as the claims require a 'library' targeting a 'plurality of target sequences' (Claim 1). **Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/20180305704/crispr-cas-component-systems-methods-and-compositions-for-sequence-manipulation **Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US20180305704 --- _Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._ ## Related patents Semantically similar inventions in the PatentBrief corpus: - [How to Edit Genes in Human Cells Using an Engineered CRISPR System](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8697359/crispr-gene-editing) — This patent describes an engineered CRISPR-Cas9 system for precisely cutting DNA in eukaryotic cells to change how genes work, opening the door for gene editing in complex organisms. - [How to Make Animals That Can Turn On CRISPR Gene Editing](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12252707/delivery-engineering-and-optimization-of-systems-methods-and-compositions-for-se) — This patent describes creating genetically modified non-human animals, like mice, where a key CRISPR gene-editing protein (Cas9) can be turned on only in specific cells or at specific times using a special genetic switch. - [How to Design High-Quality Gene Editing Tools for a Whole Genome](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/20230187025/whole-genome-sgrna-library-constructing-system-and-application-thereof) — This patent describes a computer system and method for creating a comprehensive library of gene-editing guides (sgRNAs) by carefully designing and filtering them to be accurate and avoid unintended genetic changes. - [How to Precisely Edit Genes Using Retron-Guide RNA Cassettes](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/20230383290/high-throughput-precision-genome-editing) — This patent describes a method for highly efficient and precise genome editing using a retron-guide RNA cassette to deliver large pieces of donor DNA into a cell's genetic material. - [How CRISPR-Cas9 Uses RNA to Edit DNA](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10113167/methods-and-compositions-for-rna-directed-target-dna-modification-and-for-rna-directed-modulation-of-transcription) — This patent describes the fundamental mechanism of using a two-part RNA system to guide the Cas9 protein to specific locations in DNA for precise editing.