{"id":"CU26076","slug":"crispr-imprint-for-rapid-and--CU26076","source":{"id":"CU26076","dataset":"techtransfer","title":"CRISPR-IMPRINT for rapid and selective DNA methylation","description_":"<p>This technology is an epigenetic editing platform that enables rapid, efficient and selective methylation of targeted DNA regions.</p>\r\r<h2>Unmet Need: Rapid and reliable DNA methylation editors</h2>\r\r<p>DNA methylation is a fundamental epigenetic language that regulates a vast array of biological processes by selectively turning genes on or off, and abnormal methylation is implicated in numerous human diseases. Despite their promise, current CRISPR-based DNA methylation editors are still constrained by slow editing kinetics, off-target activity, and cytotoxicity, which substantially limit their broad applicability.</p>\r\r<h2>The Technology: Rapid and selective DNA methylation editor with low cytotoxicity</h2>\r\r<p>This technology is a DNA methylation editing platform, CRISPR-IMPRINT, that embeds an engineered bacterial cytosine methyltransferase in the CRISPR-dCas9 system. It enables rapid, efficient methylation editing within hours, while reducing off-target activity and cytotoxicity compared with existing technologies. In proof-of-concept studies, CRISPR-IMPRINT selectively methylated a pathological disease allele, leading to reduced disease-relevant phenotypes. This technology enables basic epigenetic research and offers potential for therapeutic development.</p>\r\r<p>This technology has been validated in vitro with human cell lines.</p>\r\r<h2>Applications:</h2>\r\r<ul>\r<li>Basic epigenetic research</li>\r<li>Therapeutic development</li>\r<li>Cell therapy optimization</li>\r<li>Disease mechanism modeling</li>\r<li>Allele-specific regulation studies</li>\r</ul>\r\r<h2>Advantages:</h2>\r\r<ul>\r<li>Efficient, rapid and selective methylation editing</li>\r<li>Minimal off-target activity</li>\r<li>Low cytotoxicity</li>\r</ul>\r\r<h2>Lead Inventor:</h2>\r\r<p><a href=\"https://www.physiology.columbia.edu/Liu.html\">X. Shawn Liu, Ph.D.</a></p>\r\r<h2>Patent Information:</h2>\r\r<p>Patent Pending</p>\r\r<h2>Related Publications:</h2>\r\r<p>*<a href=\"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41372159/\">Pan R, Ren J, Chen X, Flores LF, Gonzalez RV, Adonnino AA, Lofts B, Waldo J, Halmai J, Devinsky O, Fink K, Liu XS. “Editing DNA methylation in vivo” Nature Communications. 2025 Dec 10;17:527.</a></p>\r\r<p>*<a href=\"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36652535/\">Qian J, Guan X, Xie B, Xu C, Niu J, Tang X, Li CH, Colecraft HM, Jaenisch R, Liu XS. “Multiplex epigenome editing of MECP2 to rescue Rett syndrome neurons” Science Translational Medicine. 2023 Jan 18;15(679).</a></p>\r\r<h2>Tech Ventures Reference:</h2>\r\r<ul>\r<li><p>IR CU26076</p></li>\r<li><p>Licensing Contact: <a href=\"mailto:techtransfer@columbia.edu\">Joan Martinez</a></p></li>\r</ul>\r","tags":["Allele","Cell therapy","Cytosine","Cytotoxicity","DNA methylation","Epigenetics","MECP2","Mathematical optimization","Methyltransferase","Rett syndrome"],"file_number":"CU26076","collections":[],"meta_description":"CRISPR-IMPRINT enables rapid, selective DNA methylation editing with low off-targets and cytotoxicity for research and therapy.","apriori_judge_output":"{\"scores\":{\"novelty\":4.0,\"potential_impact\":4.0,\"readiness\":2.0,\"scalability\":3.0,\"timeliness\":2.0},\"weighted_score\":3.3,\"risks\":[\"In vitro only with no in vivo validation; regulatory/ safety uncertainties for epigenetic editing; potential off-target effects still a concern; competitive landscape with existing CRISPR methylation tools; no clear path to manufacturing or clinical translation in near term.\"],\"one_sentence_take\":\"High novelty and potential impact in epigenetic editing, but readiness is lagging with only in vitro data and unclear translational path; significant risk due to regulatory and safety hurdles.\"}","inventors":["Shawn (X.) Liu Ph.D."],"manager":"Joan Martinez","depts":["Physiology and Cellular Biophysics"],"divs":["Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC)"],"date_released":"2026-08-10"},"highlight":{},"matched_queries":null,"score":0.0}