CRISPR/Cas9 Methods for Identification and Validation of Genes Regulating BCR-Mediated Antigen Uptake.

Genome-wide CRISPR screens are a powerful tool to interrogate and identify gene function in a wide variety of applications and cell types. CRISPR-Cas9 technology using pooled CRISPR single guide RNA (sgRNA) libraries enables genetic editing in bulk in a large population of cells of interest. After selection of gene-edited cells, phenotyping effects can be evaluated by quantifying abundance (over- or under-representation) of individual sgRNAs using DNA sequencing.

The Ins and Outs of Antigen Uptake in B cells.

A review of our current knowledge of B cell antigen uptake mechanisms, the relevance of these processes to pathology, and outstanding questions in the field. Specific antigens induce B cell activation through the B cell receptor (BCR) which initiates downstream signaling and undergoes endocytosis. While extensive research has shed light on the signaling pathways in health and disease, the endocytic mechanisms remain largely uncharacterized.