Advanced CRISPR-Cas Effector Enzyme-Based Diagnostics for Infectious Diseases, Including COVID-19

Rapid and precise diagnostic tests can prevent the spread of diseases, including worldwide pandemics. Current commonly used diagnostic methods include nucleic-acid-amplification-based detection methods and immunoassays. These techniques, however, have several drawbacks in diagnosis time, accuracy, and cost. Nucleic acid amplification methods are sensitive but time-consuming, whereas immunoassays are more rapid but relatively insensitive. Recently developed CRISPR-based nucleic acid detection methods have been found to compensate for these limitations. In particular, the unique collateral enzymatic activities of Cas12 and Cas13 have dramatically reduced the diagnosis times and costs, while improving diagnostic accuracy and sensitivity. This review provides a comprehensive description of the distinct enzymatic features of Cas12 and Cas13 and their applications in the development of molecular diagnostic platforms for pathogen detection. Moreover, it describes the current utilization of CRISPR-Cas-based diagnostic techniques to identify SARS-CoV-2 infection, as well as recent progress in the development of CRISPR-Cas-based detection strategies for various infectious diseases. These findings provide insights into designing effective molecular diagnostic platforms for potential pandemics.

Automated summary

Current diagnostic methods have drawbacks in terms of diagnosis time, accuracy, and cost, while CRISPR-based nucleic acid detection methods utilizing Cas12 and Cas13 have shown potential to overcome these limitations. The unique enzymatic features of Cas12 and Cas13 have reduced diagnosis times and costs while improving diagnostic accuracy and sensitivity. CRISPR-Cas technology is making progress in the detection of infectious diseases like SARS-CoV-2, indicating promising applications in molecular diagnostic platforms for potential pandemics.