CompoZr® Zinc Finger Nucleases (ZFNs) for Biological Manufacturing
SAFC recognizes that one of the most time consuming and costly endeavors biopharmaceutical companies face is creating robust, efficient cell lines. Zinc Finger Nuclease (ZFN) technology allows for easy creation of novel CHO cell lines with precise and heritable gene additions, deletions or modifications.
Click on image for larger view.
Figure A. ZFNs are a class of engineered DNA-binding proteins that facilitate targeted editing of the genome by creating double-strand breaks in DNA at user-specified locations. Figure B. Double-strand breaks are important for site-specific mutagenesis in that they stimulate the cell's natural DNA-repair processes, namely homologous recombination (HR) and non-homologous end joining (NHEJ). Using well-established and robust protocols, these cellular processes can be harnessed to generate precisely targeted genomic edits resulting in cell lines, with targeted gene deletions (knockouts), integrations (knock-ins), or modifications.
Applications of Cell Lines
SAFC has created catalog ZFNs for use in the biopharmaceutical industry. A summary of bioproduction applications using ZFN technology is shown below:
Bioproduction Application |
Gene Target | Notes |
CHOZN Cell Line Availability | CompoZr ZFN Availability |
---|---|---|---|---|
Metabolic Selection | Glutamine Synthetase (GS) | Platform Cell Line; cGMP Banked; Full Documentation & Traceability | CHOGS-1VL | ZFNGS-1KT |
Dihydrofolate Reductase (DHFR) | Full Documentation & Traceability | CHODHFR-1VL | ZFNDHFR-1KT | |
Glycoengineering | CMP-N-acetylneuraminic acid hydroxylase (CMAH) & Alpha-1-3-galactosyltransferase (GGTA-1) |
Optimal Glycosylation & Reduce Immunogenicity | Yes. Trait Stacked in CHOGS. Contact CHOZN@sial.com for ordering. | Yes! We can target any gene! Contact CHOZN@sial.com for ordering. Product number is SAFCZFN-1KT. |
Mannosyl (alpha-1,3-)-glycoprotein beta-1,2-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase (MGAT1) | Cell Culture Performance | Yes. Trait Stacked in CHOGS. Contact CHOZN@sial.com for ordering. | ||
Cell Culture Performance | BCL2-associated X protein (BAX) & BCL2-antagonist/killer 1 (BAK) | Enhanced Titer, Growth, Longevity |
No |
|
Targeted Integration | Determined By End User | Consistent, Stable Expression | No |
|
Interfering Host Cell Protein | Targeted Gene Knockout | N/A | ||
Risk Mitigation | Viral Resistance, Retroviral Elements | N/A | ||
Trait Stacking | Selection; Glycosylation; Cell Culture Performance | N/A | ||
Product Quality/Stability | Sialidation Consistency | N/A |
ZFN Formats
We offer ZFN reagents in DNA plasmid format as well as mRNA. mRNA allows for transient expression without the ability to integrate into the genome, which can occur using plasmid DNA. Recently, we’ve added ZFNs which are fluorescently tagged! This allows the customer to perform FACS, resulting in an enriched pool.
For ZFN inquiries please email CHOZN@sial.com and a scientist will discuss your project goals with you and propose the best strategy.
![]() |
View Brochure |
Learn more about the CHOZN Expression Platform |
![]() |
Download Technical Bulletin |
Research product features |
![]() |
Contact SAFC |
Please contact us for order, product, or service inquires, quotes, or questions. |