Are higher or lower CRISPR gRNA off-target scores better?

Sakura
Sakura
  • Updated

Issue

There are conflicting messages about what high off-target scores mean.

When hovering over Off-Target Score in the Design CRISPR tab, a message indicates that higher scores are better. However, clicking on a single guide's off-target score, the message  "Scores above 20 indicate a high probability of off-target effects at that site" displays.

Environment

CRISPR gRNA design tool 

Cause

When analyzing gRNAs, Benchling calculates two types of scores associated with off-target assessment: aggregated off-target score and potential off-target site score. The meaning of the score depends on which score you're referencing. 

Solution

Determine which score you're referencing, then review How are off-target scores calculated? to understand what your score means.

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