CRISPR diagnostics: Diving into cell-based diagnostics

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  Quantumrun Foresight
• October 17, 2022

Insight summary

CRISPR is a gene-editing technology that allows scientists to modify or “cut” genes. CRISPR enables a new level of precision gene manipulation when used with the Cas9 protein. Researchers are exploring how to use this technology’s versatility and potential to develop more accurate diagnostics tools.

CRISPR diagnostics context

CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) is a method that allows scientists to edit genes in organisms, such as bacteria, animals, and humans. The technology works by removing portions of DNA and replacing them with new, improved sequences. This method aims to correct mutated genes or hereditary disorders. CRISPR can potentially cure many DNA-based illnesses like blood diseases and cancers.

In a 2017 experiment conducted by Temple University and the University of Pittsburgh, researchers successfully eliminated HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) in live mice. However, further research on primates will be needed before researchers can test any similar therapy on humans. Despite the numerous benefits of CRISPR, some scientists are wary that some enterprises will use the tool to edit reproductive cells, resulting in designer babies.

Aside from gene therapy, CRISPR is showing considerable promise in diagnostics. Nucleic acid-based biomarkers are essential for diagnostics because they can be amplified from minimal amounts of DNA or RNA, making them very specific for detecting diseases. As a result, this type of diagnostics is the gold standard for many kinds of illnesses, especially those caused by infections. As observed during the COVID-19 pandemic, fast and precise nucleic acid-based testing is vital for effective virus control and management. Detecting nucleic acid biomarkers is also crucial for agriculture and food security, as well as environmental monitoring and identifying biological warfare agents. 

Disruptive impact

In 2021, researchers at the University of California San Diego created a rapid diagnostic tool to identify SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, using molecular genetics, chemistry, and health science. The new SENSR (sensitive enzymatic nucleic acid sequence reporter) tool uses CRISPR to detect pathogens by identifying genetic sequences in their DNA or RNA. While the Cas9 enzyme has been the primary protein used in CRISPR genetic engineering studies, other enzymes such as Cas12a and Cas13a have increasingly been utilized to create precise medical testing.

SENSR is the first COVID-19 diagnostic tool that uses the Cas13d enzyme (also known as CasRx). The tool’s test results can be generated in less than an hour. Researchers believe that by exploring other enzymes, CRISPR will be able to open up new opportunities for genetics-based diagnostics.

Scientists and doctors can also use CRISPR to diagnose non-infectious diseases. For example, CRISPR-based sensing of mRNA was used to detect acute cellular kidney transplant rejection. This method involves looking for mRNA presence in a urine sample from someone who had just had a kidney transplant.

Researchers found that the CRISPR-based sensor featured 93 percent sensitivity and 76 percent specificity. The tool has also been used to diagnose breast cancer and brain tumors. In addition, CRISPR can accurately identify genetic diseases, such as mutations and muscular dystrophy, through single-nucleotide specificity.

Implications of CRISPR diagnostics

Wider implications of CRISPR diagnostics may include: 

• Rapid diagnostics for infectious diseases—an application that may be vital in preventing the spread of future pandemics and epidemics.
• More accurate diagnosis of rare genetic disorders, which may advance personalized medicine.
• Artificial intelligence (AI) systems used to augment CRISPR-based analysis, which may result in faster test results.
• Earlier diagnosis of cancers, genetic mutations, and transplant failures.
• More collaborative research among biotech, pharma firms, and universities to discover other potential enzymes that can advance CRISPR-based diagnosis.
• Increased accessibility to low-cost genetic testing for consumers, potentially democratizing personalized healthcare and early detection of hereditary conditions.
• Enhanced regulatory frameworks by governments for gene editing technologies, ensuring ethical use while fostering scientific advancement.
• Shift in pharmaceutical industry focus towards targeted gene therapies, leading to more effective treatments with fewer side effects.

Questions to consider

• What are the other potential benefits of being able to detect genetic diseases early?
• How can governments use CRISPR in their COVID-19 management strategies?