The laboratory includes a specialised gene editing section and a tissue culture area designed to support stem cell research

Bengaluru-based biotechnology startup, CrisprBits, has inaugurated a CRISPR gene editing and diagnostics laboratory in Bengaluru.

The new facility includes advanced infrastructure laboratory features with dedicated spaces for lyophilization (a process used to keep reagents stable at room temperature), cell and tissue culture, bacterial culture, molecular biology research, and cleanroom operations.

Additionally, the laboratory includes a specialised gene editing section and a tissue culture area designed to support stem cell research. A state-of-the-art LIMS (Laboratory Information Management System) and intelligent systems for smart design of CRISPR guides round out the technology platforms at the CrisprBits innovation centre.

Dr Vijay Chandru, Co-founder & Director, CrisprBits, said, "The launch of our new facility in Bengaluru is a significant milestone in our journey to deliver affordable and high-quality solutions to enhance the health of people and the planet. The state-of-the-art CRISPR gene editing laboratory and diagnostics will better equip us to meet critical needs and develop solutions that have significant commercial and social impact."

In the next few months, CrisprBits aims to launch several key tests in affordable rare disease diagnostics and Hospital Acquired Infections (HAI) including antimicrobial resistance tests using the platform. CrisprBits will continue its operations at CCAMP in future, on several collaborative gene editing projects.

Over the next six months, CrisprBits plans to introduce Novel applications of CRISPR in building iPSC (Induced pluripotent stem cells) models for rare diseases and targeted editing of cell lines and microbes important for industrial microbiology applications is in progress.