Multiplexed CRISPR-based methods for pathogen nucleic acid detection

Bacterial and viral pathogens are devastating to human health and well-being. In many regions, dozens of pathogen species and variants co-circulate. Thus, it is important to detect many different species and variants of pathogens in a given sample through multiplexed detection methods. CRISPR-based nucleic acid detection has shown to be a promising step towards an easy-to-use, sensitive, specific, and high-throughput method to detect nucleic acids from DNA and RNA viruses and bacteria. Here, we review the current state of multiplexed nucleic acid detection methods with a focus on CRISPR-based methods. We also look toward the future of multiplexed pointof-care diagnostics.

Automated summary

Bacterial and viral pathogens pose serious threats to human health. Multiplexed nucleic acid detection methods, especially CRISPR-based methods, have shown great potential in detecting multiple species and variants of pathogens. This review provides an overview of current multiplexed nucleic acid detection methods, focusing on CRISPR-based methods, and discusses the future of multiplexed point-of-care diagnostics.