IDT CRISPR Cas9 and CRISPR-Cpf1

IDT offers the components for genome editing through both their CRISPR-Cas9 system and CRISPR-Cpf1 system. The individual components can be ordered separately or as an entire system.

Benefits

  • Achieve higher efficiency genome editing than other methods by using Alt‑R® CRISPR RNAs, which are optimized, nuclease resistant, and individually quality controlled
  • Avoid toxicity or innate immune response activation by using Alt-R CRISPR ribonucleoproteins, instead of in vitro transcribed CRISPR nuclease mRNA and sgRNAs
  • Select from 2 CRISPR systems based on Cas9 or Cpf1 endonuclease for increased target site options

A comparison of the two systems:

Cas9 systemCpf1 system
ApplicationsGeneral genome editing• For species with AT-rich genomes
• For regions with limiting design space for use of the CRISPR-Cas9 system
Ribonucleoprotein components• crRNA
• tracrRNA
• Cas9 endonuclease
• crRNA
• Cpf1 endonuclease
crRNA• Native: 42 nt
• Alt-R: 35–36 nt (36 nt recommended)
• Native: 42–44 nt
• Alt-R: 40–44 nt (41 nt recommended)
tracrRNA• Native: 89 nt
• Alt-R: 67 nt
(not applicable)
CRISPR enzyme• Class 2, Cas type II
• M.W.*: 163,700 g/mol
• Endonuclease domains: RuvC-like and HNH
• Class 2, Cas type V
• M.W.*: 157,900 g/mol
• Endonuclease domain: RuvC-like only
Double-stranded DNA cleavage• Blunt ended cut 3 bases upstream of the protospacer sequence
• PAM site often destroyed during genome editing
• 5′ overhanging cut on the 5′ side of the protospacer sequence
• PAM site may be preserved after genome editing
PAM sequence†NGGTTTV
Current recommendations for Alt-R® RNP delivery• Lipid-mediated transfection
• Electroporation ± Alt-R® enhancer
• Microinjection
• Electroporation with Alt-R® enhancer
• Microinjection

Frequently asked questions

Are there any University regulations for ordering these items?

Ordering lentivirus vectors from this site requires that investigators have a current recombinant DNA and infectious agent registration for this material from the  Johns Hopkins Biosafety Office. The other components do not have any special requirements.

How many guideRNAs (gRNA) should I order for each target?

Since CRISPRs have been shown to have a wide variation in their activity, even when designed in close proximity to each other, it is recommended you order at least 2 gRNAs per target.

When will I receive my items?

Standard oligo orders placed before noon from MilliporeSigma arrive the next business day. Standard oligo orders placed with IDT before 2 PM will arrive in our office two business days after they are placed.  Other items vary depending on the time it takes the manufacturer to ship.  All items are available in Blalock 1004 the day they are received and will go out for delivery with the CoreStore the next morning.

Will you leave the order in my lab if no one is there?

No. Due to the sensitive nature of some of the items ordered through our portals, someone must be present in your lab for your order to be delivered.

May I pick up my order, even if I indicated I wanted delivery when I placed the order?

Yes. On a typical day, we receive the orders by 11:30 AM. Orders are available in Blalock 1004 from the time they arrive until we close at 4:30 PM. You may stop by and pick them up anytime during those orders. If you call ahead, please be prepared to tell us the order number and then name of the person placing the order. Orders are brought to the CoreStore early the following morning and set out for delivery.

If you know that you would like to pick up your order at the time you place your order, you may replace your building and room number with the words “Pick up” and we will contact you when the order arrives.  Pickup orders are placed in one of our lockers near the Blalock elevators and are available 24/7.

How do I set up a GRCF portal account with my favorite company? Is each company a different login?
  • For Dharmacon, if you have a current account, you do not need to create a new account. Simply starting on  our portal login page will associate your account with our portal. If you need to create an account, you can do so on the  registration pageOrders created on the Dharmacon portal create a quote which is emailed to the GRCF. The GRCF will place the orders by the end of the day.  You will receive an email when the order has been placed.


  • For IDT, you must create a  portal specific account, but account set-up is instantaneous. Simply go to our portal and create a new account. Make sure you do not click anywhere else on the page prior to creating the account, or the web-site will lose the association with our portal. Once you have set up the account, you may place your order. When placing your first order on a newly created account, you will see incorrect pricing and shipping charges, but your bill will be correct.


  • For MilliporeSigma, you need to email us the following information:
  • Your name
  • Your email address
  • Your phone number
  • Your building and room number (for CoreStore deliveries)
  • Your PI’s name & email address
  • If you already have set up a GRCF account with MilliporeSigma, you may order using  this link.


  • ThermoFisher and Qiagen do not require an account. Shopping carts are emailed to the GRCF (customorders@jhmi.edu) for ordering.
How long does it take to activate my account?

Dharmacon and IDT are instantaneous. If you already have a Dharmacon direct account, you may simply login on our  portal page and your orders will be associated with the portal. If you already have a direct IDT account, you MUST create a new account by clicking “Set up new account” on our  portal page (without clicking anywhere else on the page.)

For MilliporeSigma, you must create an account and wait for an email indicating that the account is active. This may take up to two business days.

ThermoFisher and Qiagen do not require an account. Orders are emailed to us and placed by the GRCF staff.

I already have an account set up with this company on their standard web-site. May I use that account?

No. You must create an account specific to the GRCF portal in order to take advantage of our pricing. The exception to this is Dharmacon. Prior Dharmacon accounts work, as long as you start on our  portal page.

Do I need a purchase order to place an order? Can I pay with an IO number?

On any of these sites, you will pay with your budget number. You do not need a credit card or a PO number from SAP. KKI customers should enter the last name of the PI on their grant or a KKI PO number. All customers (KKI and JHU) will be billed through iLab. JHU customers should check to make sure their budget numbers are active in iLab. Non-sponsored budget numbers must be added to iLab manually by following  these instructions.

I order for more than one lab. How do I change where an order is being delivered?

You should create a separate ordering account for each lab to make sure that your orders are delivered to the correct location.

Why do I see shipping charges when placing an order from IDT?

This usually means that you have logged into the portal using a username and password that were set up for the SAP punchout or the normal IDT web-site. Using the wrong login will take you to the direct website without any notification. You will only receive free shipping if you use a username and password set up specifically on our portal. You will know you are on the correct website if you see a banner that says “You are using the DNA Analysis Facility Portal” on every page. Also, when you begin the checkout process, the billing and shipping information should be prepopulated with the GRCF address and PO.  Click past this page and you will come to a page that asks for your budget number and building and room number.