Viral Vector vs CRISPR
BioInnovatise CRISPR Team
Updated April 30, 2025
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CRISPR technology and vector delivery is a fascinating topic within molecular biology, and specifically within therapeutic areas such as cell and gene therapy, immunotherapy, and vaccine development.
However there is a bit of confusion when people start discussing “CRISPR vs vector” or “viral vector vs CRISPR”. It’s a lot of comparing apples and oranges as CRISPR primarily refers to the gene editing technology and vectors refer to the delivery vehicle for (edited) genetic payloads.
Our CRIPSR and viral vector teams have teamed up to overview both of these topics and explain their main differences and similarities within molecular biology. Let’s get into it!
Vector vs CRISPR - Brief Overview
Both CRISPR and vectors, the many types and families thereof, are both heavily researched and have expensive publications devoted to them. But here is a brief overview if you are new to gene editing and gene delivery.
CRISPR is primarily the gene editing technology itself, not the delivery method. CRISPR-Cas9 consists of:
- Guide RNA (gRNA) that targets specific DNA sequences
- Cas9 enzyme that cuts the DNA at targeted locations
Vectors typically refer to delivery vehicles used in gene therapy and genetic engineering. When people say “vector,” they’re most commonly referring to:
- Viral vectors (AAV, lentivirus, adenovirus)
- Non-viral vectors (lipid nanoparticles, polymeric nanoparticles)
- Plasmids (circular DNA molecules)
Payload Differences: Viral Vector vs CRISPR
The differences between a viral vector and CRIPSR can be best summarized by comparing “gene delivery” (viral vectors) and “gene editing” (CRIPSR-Cas9).
The key distinction is that vectors are delivery vehicles, while CRISPR is the cargo/technology that performs the gene editing function once delivered. Vectors can deliver CRISPR components, but they can also deliver other genetic materials like replacement genes or regulatory elements.
Viral Vector vs CRISPR - Advantages and Disadvantages
- Precision: Can target specific DNA sequences with high accuracy
- Versatility: Can edit, delete, or insert genetic material
- Multiplexing: Can target multiple genes simultaneously
- Off-target effects: Can make unintended edits elsewhere in the genome
- Delivery challenges: Getting CRISPR components into target cells/tissues
- Immune responses: Cas9 is bacterial protein that can trigger immune reactions
- Size limitations: The Cas9 protein is quite large, challenging some delivery methods
- PAM requirements: Traditional Cas9 needs specific adjacent sequences for targeting
- Tissue tropism: Different viruses naturally target different tissues such as adeno-associated virus serotypes.
- AAV vectors: High safety profile, low immunogenicity, long-term expression
- Lentiviral vectors: Can integrate into genome for permanent effect (read more about AAV vs lentivirus)
- Established manufacturing: More developed production processes
- Clinical experience: Longer history of use in human trials and approved therapies
- Limited packaging capacity: Restricted genetic cargo size (AAV packaging limit ~4.7kb)
- Immunogenicity: Potential immune responses to viral components such as adenoviral vectors
- Pre-existing immunity: Previous exposure can neutralize viral vectors
- Integration risks: Some viral vectors can disrupt genes at insertion sites such as lentiviral and retroviral vectors
Let’s get started!
Our viral vector and CRISPR teams are excited to bring your project to life. Have a question or want an estimate? Contact our team to get started.
Learn more about our quick turnaround viral vector services. Our team performs AAV packaging, adenovirus packaging, lentivirus packaging, retrovirus packaging, and plasmid DNA services for viral vector backbones. We can also package your CRISPR vectors!
Learn more about our quick turnaround CRISPR-Cas9 services. Our team performs CRISPR vector productions, sgRNA cloning, cassette and donor vector construction design services, and CRISPR knock-out and CRISPR knock-in services.
Want to learn more about the latest in CRISPR genome-editing based research? Our colleagues at ScienceDirect and Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News continuously collect and publish the latest information on CRISPR based research.
Want to learn more about the latest in viral vector based research? Our colleagues at ScienceDirect and Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News continuously collect and publish the latest information on CRISPR based research.
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