Issue 5, 2022

CRISPR-dCas9 based DNA detection scheme for diagnostics in resource-limited settings

Abstract

Nucleic-acid detection is crucial for basic research as well as for applications in medicine such as diagnostics. In resource-limited settings, however, most DNA-detection diagnostic schemes are inapplicable since they rely on expensive machinery, electricity, and trained personnel. Here, we present an isothermal DNA detection scheme for the diagnosis of pathogenic DNA in resource-limited settings. DNA was extracted from urine and blood samples using two different instrument-free methods, and amplified using Recombinase Polymerase Amplification with a sensitivity of <10 copies of DNA within 15 minutes. Target DNA was bound by dCas9/sgRNA that was labelled with a DNA oligomer to subsequently induce Rolling Circle Amplification. This second amplification step produced many copies of a G-quadruplex DNA structure that facilitates a colorimetric readout that is visible to the naked eye. This isothermal DNA-detection scheme can be performed at temperatures between 20–45 °C. As an example of the applicability of the approach, we isothermally (23 °C) detected DNA from a parasite causing visceral leishmaniasis that was spiked into buffer and resulted in a sensitivity of at least 1 zeptomole. For proof of principle, DNA spiked into blood was coupled to the CRISPR-dCas9-based detection scheme yielding a colorimetric readout visible to the naked eye. Given the versatility of the guide-RNA programmability of targets, we envision that this DNA detection scheme can be adapted to detect any DNA with minimal means, which facilitates applications such as point-of-care diagnostics in resource-limited settings.

Graphical abstract: CRISPR-dCas9 based DNA detection scheme for diagnostics in resource-limited settings

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
05 Oct 2021
Accepted
04 Jan 2022
First published
19 Jan 2022
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

Nanoscale, 2022,14, 1885-1895

CRISPR-dCas9 based DNA detection scheme for diagnostics in resource-limited settings

M. Bengtson, M. Bharadwaj, O. Franch, J. van der Torre, V. Meerdink, H. Schallig and C. Dekker, Nanoscale, 2022, 14, 1885 DOI: 10.1039/D1NR06557B

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