Diagnosis and therapy with CRISPR advanced CRISPR based tools for point of care diagnostics and early therapies

Abstract

Molecular diagnostics is of critical importance to public health worldwide. It facilitates not only detection and characterization of diseases, but also monitors drug responses, assists in the identification of genetic modifiers and disease susceptibility. Based upon DNA variation, a wide range of molecular-based tests are available to assess/diagnose diseases. The CRISPR-Cas9 system has recently emerged as a versatile tool for biological and medical research. In this system, a single guide RNA (sgRNA) directs the endonuclease Cas9 to a targeted DNA sequence for site-specific manipulation. As designing CRISPR-guided nucleases can be done easily and relatively fast, the CRISPR/Cas9 system has evolved as widely used DNA editing tool. This technique led to a large number of gene editing studies in variety of organisms. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated diagnosis and therapy has picked up pace due to specificity and accuracy of CRISPR. The aim is not only to identify specific pathogens, especially virus but also to repair disease-causing alleles by changing the DNA sequence at the exact location on the chromosome. At present, PCR-based molecular diagnostic testing predominates; however, alternative technologies aimed at reducing genome complexity without PCR are anticipated to gain momentum in the coming years. Furthermore, development of integrated chip devices should allow point-of-care testing and facilitate genetic readouts from single cells and molecules. Together with molecular based therapy CRISPR based diagnostic testing will be a revolution in modern health care settings. In this review, we emphasize on current developing diagnostic techniques based upon CRISPR Cas approach along with short insights on its therapeutic usage.

Keywords: CRISPR/Cas; Diagnostic tools; Therapeutics.