CRISPR-based diagnostics

CRISPR-based technology, as a revolutionary gene editing tool, not only shines in gene therapy, but also shows great potential in the field of diagnosis. Recently, programmable CRISPR-based biosensors have emerged as advanced bioanalytical tools in various fields. These biosensors utilize the principle of guided Cas proteins for targeting and cleaving specific nucleic acid sequences to achieve highly selective and sensitive detection in molecular diagnostics. The adaptability allows such biosensors to be tailored for detecting different targets, presenting a wide range of potential applications. In medical diagnostics, CRISPR-based biosensors are promising in detecting disease biomarkers, pathogens, genetic mutations, etc. In the field of food safety, CRISPR-based sensors could be used to rapid and on-site detection of harmful substances, viruses, and pathogenic microorganisms to ensure food quality and safety. In environmental detection, CRISPR-based biosensors are widely used to detect metal ions, antibiotics, pesticide, and toxins. Moreover, this technology has a wide range of potential applications, including fermentation process, agricultural and forest science, and beyond. The design and development of highly efficient CRISPR-based biosensors for has become a research focus in recent years. Furthermore, CRISPR/Cas system are also hailed as the next generation of molecular diagnostic technology. The programmable Cas proteins developed in recent years include Cas12a, Cas13a, Cas9, Cas14a, dCas9 and so on.

Current challenges: Despite the importance of CRISPR/Cas system in promoting molecular diagnostics, there are still several challenges in the field that need to be addressed. (1) The non-specific cleavage activity of the CRISPR/Cas system is one of its main challenges; (2) To obtain more effective information within limited time and cost, multiple detection strategy has become a research hotspot; (3) The detection sensitivity and accuracy of CRISPR/Cas system are important indicators for evaluating its performance, especially for amplification-free detection; (4) To meet the demand for rapid on-site testing, researchers are committed to developing portable and point-of-care testing (POCT) devices; (5) The detection cost of CRISPR/Cas system is also one of the important factors affecting its widespread application.

For this Special Issue, we welcome original research papers as well as reviews on current developments in the design of high-sensitivity and selectivity bioanalysis systems with CRISPR/Cas system for food safety, medical diagnostics, environmental monitoring and other related areas. This special issue aims to explore the multifaceted relationship between the CRISPR/Cas system and molecular diagnostics, addressing current challenges and knowledge gaps in this field. By gathering cutting-edge research and innovative methods, this special issue aims to reveal the complex interactions between CRISPR-based diagnostics and food, environmental protection, agriculture, and healthcare. Through a series of high-quality articles, valuable insights and practical significance will be provided to promote the development of CRISPR-based diagnostics in these fields.

Topics for this call for papers include but are not restricted to:

1. Multiplexed detection of bacteria, viruses, or small molecules using CRISPR-based diagnostics.
2. Non-amplification disruptive technology for signal amplification to improve detection sensitivity CRISPR-based diagnosis.
3. The discovery of novel CRISPR/Cas members for biosensing applications and the design, construction, and testing of recognition/cleavage mechanisms for programmable CRISPR/Cas systems.
4. Explore methods for optimizing and directed evolution of the CRISPR/Cas system to improve its stability, specificity, and detection efficiency.
5. The design and development of artificial intelligence devices, wearable and plug-and-play biosensors, nanomaterials, and portable CRISPR diagnostics platforms for POCT.
6. Combine different signal amplification elements to increase the sensitivity and specificity of CRISPR diagnostics.
7. Connect different signal recognition elements in series to expand the application range of CRISPR diagnostics.
8. Strategies to reduce the cost of CRISPR diagnostics.
9. Other CRISPR-related molecular diagnostic technology development and applications.

You are welcome to submit articles on the above-mentioned themes. Sensors & Diagnostics publishes high-quality innovative research in the field of sensors as well as diagnostics, molecular imaging and molecular therapeutics. 

If you would like to contribute to this themed issue, you can submit your article directly at rsc.li/sensors and inform the editorial office by emailing our team. Please mention that this submission is a contribution to ‘CRISPR-based diagnostics’’, in the ‘Themed issues’ section of the submission form and add a ‘Note to the Editor’ that this is from the Open Call. The Editorial Office reserves the right to check suitability of submissions in relation to the scope of the collection and inclusion of accepted articles in the collection is not guaranteed.

Please note that all submissions are subject to the journal’s normal peer review processes, with an initial assessment to confirm the manuscript's suitability for full peer review. If you have any questions about the journal or the collection, please email us.  We would be happy to answer them.