Identification and characterization of essential genes in the human genome

Zeroing in on essential human genes More powerful genetic techniques are helping to define the list of genes required for the life of a human cell. Two papers used the CRISPR genome editing system and a gene trap method in haploid human cells to screen for essential genes (see the Perspective by Boone and Andrews). Wang et al. 's analysis of multiple cell lines indicates that it may be possible to find tumor-specific dependencies on particular...