CRISPR for the diagnosis of diseases
With CRISPR, you can quickly and easily diagnose many diseases
Sergey Kolenov, Hi-tech+
Mammoth Biosciences company intends to make the diagnosis of a variety of diseases – including difficult to diagnose and deadly – simple and accessible. If successful, Mammoth tests will detect a wide range of diseases – from papillomaviruses to malaria, and it will be no more difficult to use them than a pregnancy test.
Mammoth Biosciences was founded about a year ago by graduates of Stanford University. According to Business Insider, the team decided to use CRISPR technology, which usually serves to remove and replace defective genes, to diagnose various diseases.
CRISPR/Cas complexes contain guide RNA, which allows them to find the desired genetic fragment. By combining an enzyme with a certain RNA, you can configure it to search for nucleotide sequences characteristic of pathogens of various diseases.
After the protein cuts this sequence, the receptor molecule attached to it will begin to glow, which will indicate the presence of a disease.
The process will allow analyzing urine, saliva and blood samples without complex devices that are commonly used in diagnostics, for example, PCR machines. In addition, CRISPR protein complexes are stable and easy to transport, which will make the technology available to a wide range of patients. They can even be applied to a test strip, and then analyze the results using a smartphone camera. Using such a test will be no more difficult than a pregnancy test, Mammoth notes.
In the development of the technology , the famous Jennifer Dudna, one of the pioneers of CRISPR and the head of the scientific council of the company.
Together with a team of other researchers, she proved that the CRISPR/Cas12 and CRISPR/Cas13 protein complexes effectively diagnose human papillomavirus, as well as Zika, Dengue viruses and a number of other diseases.
Mammoth Biosciences techniques are still under development. In July, the company received $23 million in financing. These funds will be used for further research, as well as the preparation of clinical trials. The deadline for the technology to enter the market is still unknown.
Researchers from the USA have found a way to make gene editing more effective and safe. They placed CRISPR complexes inside the viral envelope, which is connected to a metal nanoparticle and opens under the influence of a magnetic field. This allows you to run gene editing only in certain organs and tissues.
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