METHODS FOR IMPROVED HOMOLOGOUS RECOMBINATION AND COMPOSITIONS THEREOF

The present disclosure relates to methods, kits, and compositions for improving the efficiency of homologous recombination. In particular, the disclosure relates to methods for introducing a nucleic acid cutting entity for DNA editing into cells that are difficult to transfect. Generally, the nucleic acid cutting entity is introduced into the cell without the use of viral vectors. The disclosure also relates to cloning DNA molecules directly into a genome with the combined use of promoter trapping and short homology arms, nuclear localization signal, and/or binding one or more DNA binding agents (TAL effector domain or truncated guide RNA bound by Cas9) to specific sites thereby displacing or restructuring chromatin at the target locus, and/or it increasing the accessibility of the target locus to further enzymatic modifications. The methods and compositions provided herein are, inter alia, useful for genome editing and enhancing enzymatic processes involved therein.