CRISPR-BEasy: a free web-based service for designing sgRNA tiling libraries for CRISPR-dependent base editing screens

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Abstract
CRISPR-dependent base editing (BE) enables the modeling and correction of genetic mutations at single-base resolution. Base editing screens, where point mutations are queried en masse, are powerful tools to systematically draw genotype–phenotype associations and characterise the function of genes and other genomic elements. However, the lack of user-friendly web-based tools for designing base editing screens can hinder broad technology adoption. Here, we introduce CRISPR-BEasy (https://crispr-beasy.cerc-genomic-medicine.ca), a free, automated web-based server that streamlines the creation of single guide (sg)RNA tiling libraries for base editing screens. Researchers can provide their genes or genomic features of interest, their base editors of choice, and target sequences to act as positive and negative controls. The server designs and annotates sgRNA libraries by integrating custom code with publicly available tools such as crisprVerse and Ensembl’s Variant Effect Predictor. CRISPR-BEasy provides downloadable results, including sgRNA on/off-target scores, predicted mutational outcomes per base editor, and intuitive interactive visualizations for data quality assessment. CRISPR-BEasy also provides a separate tool that assembles sgRNA libraries into oligonucleotides for cloning following the detailed protocol documented in the searchable web server manual. Together, CRISPR-BEasy ensures the seamless design of cloning-ready sgRNA libraries, seeking to democratise access to base editing screening technologies.
Funding Information
  • Canadian Institutes of Health Research (FRN:DV2-197674)
  • Canada Excellence Chair in Genomic Medicine
  • McGill University
  • Fonds de Recherche du Quebec—Santé
  • Doctoral Training Scholarships
  • Canada Research Chair Tier II in Molecular Biology and Genomic Instability

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