ChemoGenix is an academic service platform dedicated to leveraging CRISPR technology to
decode genetic signatures of bioactive compounds. We are part of the Institute for Research in
Immunology and Cancer (IRIC) at the Université de Montréal (UdeM).
Chemical genomics, also known as chemogenomics, is an effective method for investigating how cells respond to chemical changes. By employing genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 knockout screens in human cells, researchers can systematically identify genes whose deletion either mitigates or amplifies the effects of compounds on cell growth. This chemogenomic profiling not only elucidates the mechanisms of action of various compounds but also identifies off-target effects and reveals novel gene functions. Ultimately, this knowledge aids in the identification of new compounds as potential drug candidates and enhances our understanding of the genetic factors influencing cell-drug interactions.
We focus on identifying genetic susceptibilities and resistance mechanisms to bioactive compounds. We have streamlined the analysis of compounds that inhibit cell proliferation through genome-wide pooled knockout screens using the pre-B lymphocytic human cell line NALM6.
We are currently expanding our screening services to incorporate additional cell models, enabling support for laboratories interested in various cell lines and experimental configurations, such as proliferation assays and FACS sorting, with or without drug treatments. Additionally, we offer the capability to elucidate gene functions through double knockout genetic screens.By combining a single guide RNA (sgRNA) targeting the gene of interest in cells already infected with an inducible genome-wide sgRNA pool, it is possible to achieve near saturation of genome-wide double knockouts.
Our services are accessible to all, including academic institutions and commercial entities. For academic and non-profit organizations, the fees are structured to cover operational costs, with the understanding that the resulting data will be publicly available three years post-delivery of screening results. This initiative aims to create a comprehensive public repository of chemogenetic data for the benefit of the biomedical community. In contrast, screenings conducted for for-profit organizations will remain confidential.