Most conventional molecular tests, including the current PCR tests for Corona detection, identify just one disease-related marker. The results show whether SARS-CoV-2 is present or not, but provide no further details. The technology developed by HIRI and JMU scientists presents a new, highly multiplexable approach. It allows an almost infinite number of markers to be analyzed in one test. With regards to COVID-19, this means a single test can determine the presence of SARS-CoV-2, the type of variant and, in addition, any other viral or bacterial pathogen or diagnostic marker of interest.
The technology called LEOPARD (Leveraging Engineered tracrRNAs and On-target DNAs for PArallel RNA Detection) is based on the discovery that basically any RNA can be transformed into a guide RNA that prompts specific DNA cutting by the CRISPR-Cas9 system. ‘By monitoring a set of matching DNAs, we can determine which RNAs were present in a sample based on which DNAs get cut,’ Chase Beisel, Professor at JMU and research group leader at HIRI, explains. The work has recently been published in Science. It holds strong potential for improving the efficiency and precision of diagnosing not only infectious diseases, but also other conditions, such as cancer and rare genetic disorders.
Ascenion, technology transfer partner of the Helmholtz Centre for infection research (HZI) and its subsidiary HIRI, has worked closely with the scientists for years, supporting the patenting and validation of their work. Ascenion’s technology managers have also been instrumental in securing translational funding and will continue to assist the researchers in transforming their invention into a compelling business case.
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