CRISPR-Cas-based techniques for pathogen detection: Retrospect, recent advances, and future perspectives

Tao Huang; Rui Zhang; Jinming Li

doi:10.1016/j.jare.2022.10.011

CRISPR-Cas-based techniques for pathogen detection: Retrospect, recent advances, and future perspectives

J Adv Res. 2023 Aug:50:69-82. doi: 10.1016/j.jare.2022.10.011. Epub 2022 Oct 30.

Authors

Tao Huang¹, Rui Zhang², Jinming Li³

Affiliations

¹ National Center for Clinical Laboratories, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing Hospital/National Center of Gerontology, PR China; Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, PR China; Beijing Engineering Research Center of Laboratory Medicine, Beijing Hospital, Beijing, PR China.
² National Center for Clinical Laboratories, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing Hospital/National Center of Gerontology, PR China; Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, PR China; Beijing Engineering Research Center of Laboratory Medicine, Beijing Hospital, Beijing, PR China. Electronic address: ruizhang@nccl.org.cn.
³ National Center for Clinical Laboratories, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing Hospital/National Center of Gerontology, PR China; Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, PR China; Beijing Engineering Research Center of Laboratory Medicine, Beijing Hospital, Beijing, PR China. Electronic address: jmli@nccl.org.cn.

Abstract

Background: Early detection of pathogen-associated diseases are critical for effective treatment. Rapid, specific, sensitive, and cost-effective diagnostic technologies continue to be challenging to develop. The current gold standard for pathogen detection, polymerase chain reaction technology, has limitations such as long operational cycles, high cost, and high technician and instrumentation requirements.

Aim of review: This review examines and highlights the technical advancements of CRISPR-Cas in pathogen detection and provides an outlook for future development, multi-application scenarios, and clinical translation.

Key scientific concepts of review: Approaches enabling clinical detection of pathogen nucleic acids that are highly sensitive, specific, cheap, and portable are necessary. CRISPR-Cas9 specificity in targeting nucleic acids and "collateral cleavage" activity of CRISPR-Cas12/Cas13/Cas14 show significant promise in nucleic acid detection technology. These methods have a high specificity, versatility, and rapid detection cycle. In this paper, CRISPR-Cas-based detection methods are discussed in depth. Although CRISPR-Cas-mediated pathogen diagnostic solutions face challenges, their powerful capabilities will pave the way for ideal diagnostic tools.

Keywords: CRISPR-Cas; Pathogen detection; Point-of-care testing; Standardized testing.

Publication types

Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

CRISPR-Cas Systems*
Nucleic Acids*
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Technology
Translations

Substances

Nucleic Acids