CRISPR/Cas systems for genomic Editing, biochemical Sensing, Bioanalysis, and diagnostics

Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) systems were known for the last few decades as genome editing tools. These CRISPR systems used Cas enzymes to edit genes by cutting/editing target DNA/RNA strands of specific sequences. The CRISPR/Cas systems were originally found in various species of archaea/bacteria which helped organisms to break foreign DNA/RNA to protect themselves from viral/bacterial attacks. Later, scientists further developed these CRISPR/Cas systems by attaching fluorophores/colorimetric reporters to the DNA probes in designing various bioanalytical approaches to target, cut, identify, and analyze different types of DNAs and RNAs in biological, and clinical samples. During the last decade, technically advanced, robust, and bioanalytical technologies of clinical importance derived from CRISPR/Cas systems were developed, and established, for instance, point of care testing (POCT) devices had been in the market such as CRISPR/Cas-based rapid lateral flow assays; rapid assay testing kits (RAT Kits such as for the detection of COVID19); colorimetric, fluorescence; or biosensing techniques for bioanalysis. These CRISPR/Cas-based techniques detected analytes with as low concentration as micromolar, nanomolar, picomolar, and even of attomole levels in the patient's blood, urine, nasal, buccal, or saliva samples as a breakthrough for the rapid diagnosis of diseases. Moreover, CRISPR/Cas technique-based diagnostic tools such as SHERLOCK (Specific High-sensitivity Enzymatic Reporter Un-Locking) and DETECTR (DNA Endonuclease Targeted CRISPR Trans-Reporter) enabled sensitive detection of nucleic acids in the variety of clinical and environmental samples. Thus, for programmable nature of CRISPR/Cas systems and for the tailored biosensing solution, these innovations in detections had successful applications in infectious disease diagnosis, and genetic testing, in addition to the environmental monitoring, microbial detections, food safety/agricultural implications, and crop production.