London 7th August : A group of researchers across the UK, US and Germany has developed a brand new test that is simple to use and could detect non-infectious diseases such as cancers and heart attacks more quickly. The test, dubbed CrisprZyme is based on the detection of molecular indicators in the body, referred to as biomarkers.
They are utilized in tests like Covid-19 in which the presence of SARS-CoV-2 genes is a sign of Covid.
There are biomarkers that can be used to detect non-infectious illnesses, for example prostate specific antigen (PSA) in the blood can be biomarker that can indicate the presence of prostate cancer.
Diagnostic tests made using DNA or RNA typically require temperature control and several steps.The new test is able to be performed at room temperature in an easy to use procedure.
The researchers hope this will facilitate faster and more accurate diagnosis in situations like general practices as well as in clinics with limited resources in developing countries.
“As as well as enhancing accessibility to diagnostics in developing countries This technology could help us get closer to personalised diagnostics that can be administered at home or in a health clinic,” said Dr Marta Broto, Department of Materials, Imperial University.
“By making diagnostic tests for clinical use easier and more efficient, we’ll be able give clinicians with the necessary tools to perform tests at the same GP practice instead of having to schedule the follow-up analysis and blood tests,” she added.
CrisprZyme is based upon CRISPR diagnostic tests that make use of RNA, the messenger that aids in the creation of proteins, to identify biomarkers in biological fluids such as urine or blood.
CrisprZyme enhances its technology by replacing amplifying procedure with colorimetric analysis, an approach that detects the quantity of biomarkers present without the necessity for amplifying.
This can eliminate the requirement for temperature control as well as additional steps, and could also determine the amount of biomarkers are present in the sample, as the researchers described in the paper that was published in the journal Nature Nanotechnology.
“Following further research and tests in our lab, we believe this will allow us to move one step closer to developing a personalized medicine where treatments are tailored to the needs of patients,” said Professor Molly Stevens FRS FREng of Imperial’s Departments of Materials and Bioengineering.
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