CRISPR Point-of-Care Diagnostics

Introduction

Monitoring of human health and the prevention/treatment of (infectious) diseases strongly depend on accurate and efficient detection, identification, and tracking of pathogens or biomarkers. Key features of such a diagnostic tool that enable this are speed, accuracy, and availability at the point-of-care.

Current Challenges

Current molecular diagnostic solutions do not meet these requirements due to the fact that they often need to be performed in a centralized fashion. However, the incredible advances in CRISPR-Cas technology in recent years provide an opportunity to change this.

Proposed Solution

By taking advantage of the innate specificity of CRISPR-Cas, we have previously developed a highly sensitive and accurate proof-of-concept diagnostic tool with promising results. The potential for implementation is unfortunately impaired by the fact that the workflow comprises multiple steps that increase hands-on time, room for human error, and the undesirable implications this has.

To mitigate this, we propose a solution that entails developing a novel approach based on a thermostable RNA polymerase that allows for the condensation of the current workflow into a shorter 1-step protocol.

Development of Assay

Once such a protocol has been developed, an assay will be created for one of the causative pathogens of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Technical feasibility of the assay will be demonstrated, in collaboration with an academic hospital, by characterizing the developed assay on relevant clinical samples.

Performance Comparison

This will provide insight into the real-life performance when compared to the current gold standard (PCR) as well as ease-of-use in a relevant context.

Commercialization Assessment

Furthermore, the feasibility of the value proposition and potential for commercialization will be thoroughly assessed.

Broader Implications

Not only will this ERC-PoC project shed light on the potential for our improved CRISPR-Cas based diagnostic tool in the context of COPD, but a sense of broad applicability in other human Point-of-Care diagnostics applications will also be gained.