CRISPR-based systems for sensitive and rapid on-site COVID-19 diagnostics

Jun Hui Soh; Enrique Balleza; Muhammad Nadjad Abdul Rahim; Hsi-Min Chan; Siswand Mohd Ali; Jacqueline Kai Chin Chuah; Sherif Edris; Ahmed Atef; Ahmed Bahieldin; Jackie Y Ying; Jamal S M Sabir

doi:10.1016/j.tibtech.2022.06.002

CRISPR-based systems for sensitive and rapid on-site COVID-19 diagnostics

Trends Biotechnol. 2022 Nov;40(11):1346-1360. doi: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2022.06.002. Epub 2022 Jun 8.

Affiliations

¹ Cellbae Pte Ltd, 61 Science Park Road, The Galen, #03-07/08, Singapore 117525, Singapore.
² NanoBio Lab, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 31 Biopolis Way, The Nanos, Singapore 138669, Singapore; A*STAR Infectious Diseases Labs, A*STAR, 31 Biopolis Way, The Nanos, Singapore 138669, Singapore.
³ Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, PO Box 80141, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; Centre of Excellence in Bionanoscience Research, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; Al-Borg Medical Laboratories, Al Borg Diagnostics, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
⁴ Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, PO Box 80141, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; Centre of Excellence in Bionanoscience Research, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia.
⁵ NanoBio Lab, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 31 Biopolis Way, The Nanos, Singapore 138669, Singapore; A*STAR Infectious Diseases Labs, A*STAR, 31 Biopolis Way, The Nanos, Singapore 138669, Singapore; Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), A*STAR, 31 Biopolis Way, The Nanos, Singapore 138669, Singapore. Electronic address: jyying@imre.a-star.edu.sg.
⁶ Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, PO Box 80141, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; Centre of Excellence in Bionanoscience Research, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia. Electronic address: jsabir@kau.edu.sa.

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has strained healthcare systems. Sensitive, specific, and timely COVID-19 diagnosis is crucial for effective medical intervention and transmission control. RT-PCR is the most sensitive/specific, but requires costly equipment and trained personnel in centralized laboratories, which are inaccessible to resource-limited areas. Antigen rapid tests enable point-of-care (POC) detection but are significantly less sensitive/specific. CRISPR-Cas systems are compatible with isothermal amplification and dipstick readout, enabling sensitive/specific on-site testing. However, improvements in sensitivity and workflow complexity are needed to spur clinical adoption. We outline the mechanisms/strategies of major CRISPR-Cas systems, evaluate their on-site diagnostic capabilities, and discuss future research directions.

Keywords: CRISPR-Cas; Cas12/13; RNA/DNA detection; diagnostics; infectious diseases; point-of-care.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

COVID-19 Testing
COVID-19* / diagnosis
CRISPR-Cas Systems
Humans
Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques
Pandemics
Point-of-Care Systems
SARS-CoV-2 / genetics