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CRISPR Technology Embarks on ‘Fantastic Voyage’: What is Packaging’s Role? Part III

The conclusion of this three-part series examines some of the packaging materials used for CRISPR research, and the why its future appears so optimistic.

Typically, there’s a clear distinction between a manufacturer/end-user firm and a packaging supplier. That not necessarily the case in CRISPR development where Millipore Sigma serves as just such an example.

Formed in 2015 when EMD Millipore combined with Sigma-Aldrich, MilliporeSigma operates in the U.S. and Canada. It produces more than 300,000 products that include gene-editing tools, cell lines, and end-to-end systems to manufacture drugs. In 2013, it began shipping CRISPR-related products from its St. Louis facility. Beyond this traditional “end-user” role, the company also provides vials and well plates (trays with multiple “dips” that hold chemicals for test purposes), thereby fulfilling a packaging supplier role.

Company spokesperson Karen Tiano says MilliporeSigma provides genome-editing CRISPR products in three liquid forms: bacteria, DNA and lentivirus—all packaged in matrix vials and 96 or 384 well plates. Matrix vials use either a SepraSeal® or a screw cap to secure liquids inside.

The company also sells purified CRISPR proteins in matrix tubes and chemically synthesized guide RNAs (SygRNA™ RNAs) in matrix tubes or 96/384 well plates. Vials and plates used for these CRISPR products are made from polypropylene. The 96 well plates for packaging bacterial CRISPR offerings are made of polystyrene. Meanwhile, the company uses polypropylene for the 96 and 384 well plates used to package DNA, lentiviral and synthetic CRISPR varieties.

She says that while there are no unique barrier requirements for these CRISPR reagents, “the choice of packaging is specific to the physical composition of the reagents. Therefore, MilliporeSigma CRISPR products are made in the same packaging used for the delivery of historic bacterial, plasmid DNA, lentivirus, synthetic RNA, or protein products that MilliporeSigma manufactures.”

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