CRISPR sgRNA Library

abm's CRISPR Gene Knockout sgRNA vectors and viruses are highly effective at achieving knockout of your target gene. Cas9 functions to create a double-stranded break within an early exon triggering repair via Non-Homologous End-Joining (NHEJ) mechanism resulting in deleterious frameshift mutations. We offer a comprehensive collection of All-in-One (spCas9 and sgRNA expressing) and sgRNA only expressing constructs targeting any human, mouse, or rat gene. Can't find the construct you're looking for? Contact our team for a Custom sgRNA vector or virus. 

Search CRISPR Knockout sgRNA Library

Search our collection of CRISPR knockout sgRNA products using gene name or accession number:

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Additional Resources

Additional Information

  • CRISPR Knockout Case Study
    Performance/Data
    Click to see our CRISPR Knockout Case Study, including experimental design and supporting data.
  • CRISPR lenti Workflow
    Workflow
    How to use abm's sgRNA lentivectors and lentiviruses in your CRISPR knockout experiment.
  • CRISPR Knockout Guide
    Need Help Getting Started?
    This handbook outlines guidelines for CRISPR sgRNA design and the experimental procedures needed to achieve a specific gene knockout.

Top Publications

Inferring and perturbing cell fate regulomes in human brain organoids.

Fleck JS. et al.
Nature (2022)


doi: 10.1038/s41586-022-05279-8

Gangliosides are essential endosomal receptors for quasi-enveloped and naked hepatitis A virus.

Das A. et al.
Nature Microbiology (2020)


doi: 10.1038/s41564-020-0727-8

Basal expression of interferon regulatory factor 1 drives intrinsic hepatocyte resistance to multiple RNA viruses.

Yamane D. et al.
Nature Microbiology (2019)


doi: 10.1038/s41564-019-0425-6

FAQs

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 (both in Lentivirus and AAV formats).
• Non-viral CRISPR KO vectors (plasmid, mRNA, or RNP delivery): Provide transient expression, reducing off-target effects, and are 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.