Experimental Data
CRISPR Knockout Performance & Data
Review experimental examples and supporting data to help plan and evaluate a CRISPR knockout workflow.
View Case Study →CRISPR gene knockout
CRISPR Knockout sgRNA Vectors & Viruses
Search gene-specific CRISPR knockout products for human, mouse, and rat targets. Choose from All-in-One Cas9 + sgRNA systems or sgRNA-only vectors in lentiviral, AAV, and non-viral formats. Cas9-directed double-strand breaks can be repaired through non-homologous end joining (NHEJ), generating indels that may produce deleterious frameshift mutations.
Human, mouse & rat gene targets
All-in-One & sgRNA-only formats
Lentiviral, AAV & non-viral delivery
Find Your CRISPR Knockout Product
Choose a CRISPR delivery system based on your experimental needs, then search by gene symbol, gene name, or accession number to find available knockout vectors and viruses.
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Compare CRISPR Knockout Systems
Compare All-in-One lentiviral, AAV, and non-viral options in more detail after choosing the delivery format that best fits your experiment.
All-in-One CRISPR System Comparison
Each system below expresses Cas9 and a gene-specific sgRNA from the same construct.
| Feature | Lentiviral | AAV | Non-Viral |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical construct | spCas9 + sgRNA + PuromycinR | saCas9 + sgRNA | spCas9 + sgRNA + GFP |
| Best suited for | Stable knockout workflows and many difficult-to-transfect cells | Selected in vivo, tissue-directed, and primary-cell applications | Transfection-compatible cultured cells and small-scale studies |
| Expression profile | Stable genomic integration and long-term expression | Primarily episomal expression with limited cargo capacity | Plasmid-based expression without viral production |
| Key consideration | Suitable for many dividing and non-dividing cells | Uses the smaller saCas9 nuclease to fit within AAV cargo limits | Requires efficient plasmid transfection |
| Available formats | Vector DNA or packaged lentivirus | Vector DNA or packaged AAV | Plasmid DNA |
| Scrambled controls | |||
| Browse backbones | View Lentiviral Backbones | View AAV Backbones | View Non-Viral Backbones |
sgRNA-Only Options Are Also Available
Choose an sgRNA-only vector when your cells already express a compatible Cas9 nuclease, or when Cas9 and the sgRNA will be delivered separately. Gene-specific products open with a recommended All-in-One backbone, but you can switch to an sgRNA-only configuration using the Customize Vector option on the product page.
Lentiviral sgRNA-Only
Scrambled controls
AAV sgRNA-Only
Scrambled controls
Non-Viral sgRNA-Only
Backbone
Scrambled control
How to Select an sgRNA-Only Configuration
- Open the gene-specific CRISPR product page and select Customize Vector.
- Click the blue Cas9/reporter cassette on the vector map.
- Select Select from reporter database.
- Choose the appropriate sgRNA-only cassette. For the lentiviral option, replace SFFV-Cas9-2A-Puro with PGK-Neo.
- Review the updated vector map and select Finish Design.
Important: sgRNAs designed for spCas9 and saCas9 are not interchangeable. Confirm that the selected sgRNA backbone and PAM requirement match the Cas9 nuclease used in your experiment.
CRISPR Knockout Workflow
Move from target selection to a validated knockout with a straightforward experimental workflow.
1
Choose Your Target
2
Deliver Cas9 + sgRNA
3
Select Edited Cells
4
Verify Editing
5
Validate Knockout
View Detailed CRISPR Knockout Workflow
1. Choose Your Target
Select a gene-specific sgRNA for your species and target gene.
2. Deliver Cas9 + sgRNA
Use lentiviral, AAV, or non-viral delivery based on your experimental system.
3. Select Edited Cells
Enrich transduced or transfected cells using the reporter or selection marker included in the selected system.
4. Verify Editing
Screen the targeted genomic region for CRISPR-induced sequence changes before downstream validation.
5. Validate Knockout
Confirm the genomic edit and verify loss of the expected gene or protein function using an appropriate downstream assay.
Need to verify genome editing? Use the CRISPR Genomic Cleavage Detection Kit (G932) for economical screening, or Screen It™ G990 for additional clone-screening options.
CRISPR Knockout Resources
Practical guides, experimental data, verification tools, and learning resources for planning, running, and validating CRISPR knockout experiments.
Guide
CRISPR Knockout Guide
Review sgRNA design guidance, knockout strategies, experimental procedures, and practical troubleshooting tips.
Open Guide →
Workflow
Lentiviral CRISPR Knockout Workflow
Follow the major experimental steps from lentiviral delivery and selection through editing verification and knockout validation.
View Workflow →
Verify Edits
Verify Your CRISPR Edits
Use the G932 Cleavage Detection Kit to confirm CRISPR editing in mixed cell populations in 4 hours, or use G990 Screen It™ to identify wild-type, monoallelic, and biallelic clones.
Video Resource
How to Perform a CRISPR Knockout Experiment
Watch a step-by-step CRISPR knockout experiment covering lentiviral delivery, selection, clone isolation, and editing validation.
Watch Video →
Learning Resources
Explore CRISPR Cas9 Learning Resources
Browse articles, protocols, videos, case studies, and practical guides covering CRISPR design, delivery, screening, and validation.
Explore Learning Resources →CRISPR Knockout Documents & Protocols
Download product guides, technical materials, and supporting protocols for CRISPR knockout experiments.
CRISPR/Cas9 GuideOverview of CRISPR/Cas9 technologies, applications, systems, and available tools. CRISPR Knockout HandbookStep-by-step guidance for sgRNA design, Cas9 delivery, cell selection, and knockout validation. CRISPR Gene Knockout sgRNA Vectors & VirusesCompare CRISPR knockout vectors, viruses, delivery systems, and available formats. Screen It™ CRISPR Cas9 Cleavage Detection KitProtocol for identifying wild-type, monoallelic, and biallelic CRISPR-edited clones. Suggested MOI for Common Cancer Cell LinesLentiviral transduction guidance Drug-Selection Killing CurveSelection workflow guidance
Top Publications
Selected peer-reviewed studies highlighting applications of abm CRISPR products in published research.
Inferring and perturbing cell fate regulomes in human brain organoids
Gangliosides are essential endosomal receptors for quasi-enveloped and naked hepatitis A virus
Basal expression of interferon regulatory factor 1 drives intrinsic hepatocyte resistance to multiple RNA viruses
Additional CRISPR-related publications are available throughout the abm product catalogue and technical literature.
CRISPR Knockout FAQs
Common questions about CRISPR knockout vectors, delivery systems, controls, and experimental selection.
What are CRISPR KO vectors and how do they work?
CRISPR KO (knockout) vectors are genetic tools designed to deliver Cas9 nuclease and guide RNA (sgRNA) into cells to create gene knockouts via double-strand breaks and non-homologous end joining (NHEJ). These vectors can be packaged into lentiviruses, AAVs, or used as plasmids for transient transfection.
What is the difference between lentiviral, AAV, and non-viral CRISPR KO vectors?
- Lentiviral CRISPR KO vectors: Integrate into the genome, providing stable Cas9/sgRNA expression, ideal for long-term knockouts in dividing cells.
- AAV CRISPR KO vectors: Deliver episomal DNA, great for in vivo and tissue-specific knockouts, but have a limited packaging capacity (~4.7 kb). Our vectors use the smaller saCas9 variant to fit within this size limit. Our vectors can also be customized to express sgRNA only for use together with spCas9 cell lines in both Lentivirus and AAV formats.
- Non-viral CRISPR KO vectors: Plasmid, mRNA, or RNP delivery provides transient expression, reducing off-target effects, and is best for short-term functional assays or when integration is undesirable.
Why use lentiviral CRISPR KO vectors for gene knockouts?
Lentiviral CRISPR KO vectors are ideal when:
- Stable, long-term knockout is required
- Working with hard-to-transfect or dividing cell lines
- Generating pooled or arrayed CRISPR knockout libraries for functional genomics and drug screening
Can AAV be used for CRISPR KO experiments?
Yes. AAV CRISPR KO vectors are preferred for:
- In vivo knockout studies due to their low immunogenicity and tissue-specific tropism
- Targeting post-mitotic cells such as neurons and muscle cells
However, due to AAV’s small packaging capacity, researchers often use dual-vector systems (one for Cas9, one for sgRNA; or saCas9).
What are non-viral CRISPR KO delivery methods?
Non-viral methods include:
- Plasmid transfection (Cas9 + sgRNA)
- mRNA delivery (Cas9 mRNA + synthetic sgRNA)
- RNP complexes (Cas9 protein pre-complexed with sgRNA)
These are ideal for rapid, transient knockouts with minimal genomic integration risk.
Which CRISPR KO delivery method is best for my experiment?
- Stable knockout in dividing cells → Lentiviral CRISPR KO vectors
- In vivo or tissue-specific knockout → AAV CRISPR KO vectors
- Transient or low-risk editing → Non-viral RNP or mRNA delivery
The choice depends on cell type, duration of expression, and safety requirements.
What cell types can be targeted with lentiviral CRISPR KO viruses?
Lentiviral CRISPR KO viruses efficiently transduce:
- Hard-to-transfect cell lines (e.g., suspension cells, primary T cells)
- Stem cells
- Dividing cancer cell lines for functional genomics
Their broad tropism makes them popular for genome-wide CRISPR knockout screening.
Are CRISPR KO lentiviral and AAV vectors available as pooled libraries?
Yes. We offer custom pooled CRISPR KO libraries in lentiviral format for genome-wide functional screening.
How do I choose between plasmid-based and virus-based CRISPR KO systems?
- Use plasmid or RNP delivery for quick, small-scale knockouts in easy-to-transfect cells.
- Use lentivirus for stable integration and pooled library screening.
- Use AAV for precise in vivo or tissue-specific knockouts.
How stable are knockouts generated with lentiviral CRISPR KO vectors?
Because lentiviral CRISPR KO vectors integrate into the genome, Cas9 and sgRNA are stably expressed, making the knockout permanent in most cases, provided the target gene undergoes successful NHEJ-induced frameshift mutations.
CRISPR knockout support
Need help choosing a CRISPR knockout product?
Tell us your target gene, species, cell type, and preferred delivery format. Our technical team can help identify a premade product or discuss a custom sgRNA vector or virus.