CRISPR-based diagnostics for detection of pathogens

Abstract

The improved sensitivity and superior specificity associated with the use of molecular assays has improved the fate of disease diagnosis by bestowing the clinicians with outcomes that are both rapid and precise. In recent years, CRISPR has made considerable progress in in vitro diagnostic platform which has paved its way for developing rapid and sensitive CRISPR-based diagnostic tools. Improved perception and better understanding of diverse CRISPR-Cas systems has broadened the reach of CRISPR applications for not just early detection of pathogens but also for early onset of diseases such as cancer. The inherent allele specificity of CRISPR is the predominant reason for its application in designing a diagnostic-tool that is field-deployable, portable, sensitive, specific and rapid. In this chapter, we highlight various CRISPR-based diagnostic platforms, its applications, challenges and future prospects of the CRISPR-Cas system.

Keywords: CRISPR; Cas effectors; Cas12; Cas13; Cas9; Diagnostics; SHERLOCK.