Addgene: Science Guides

Addgene has created the following guides to help you start learning about various scientific concepts related to our plasmid collection. Find links to the guides below.

Chemogenetics

Chemogenetics is a technique that uses genetically engineered receptors to selectively control and investigate cell signaling pathways. Receptors are remotely controlled via small molecules, which allows for specific control of activity.

CRISPR

Class 2 Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat (CRISPR) systems, which form an adaptive immune system in bacteria, have been modified for genome engineering. Find essential background information on CRISPR and the basics for planning your first CRISPR experiment.

Optogenetics

Optogenetics integrates optics and genetic engineering to measure and manipulate cells (frequently neurons) and their governing biomolecular processes. The tools and technologies developed for optogenetics research utilize light to detect, measure, and control molecular signals and cells in order to understand their functions.

Pooled Libraries

Pooled libraries are single preparations of many different plasmids. Plasmids within a given library have the same backbone, but they express or target different genes. Some libraries cover the majority of the genome, while others are restricted to certain gene sets.

Viral Vectors

Find educational guides to learn more about the different types of viruses that are commonly used in research, including:

Lentivirus
Adeno-associated Virus (AAV)
Adenovirus
γ-Retrovirus