This technology uses engineered RNA switches and CRISPR to detect various biomarkers, converting their presence into glucose that can be measured with a standard handheld glucometer, enabling rapid, low-cost, and versatile point-of-care diagnostics.
Background: Molecular diagnostics is a rapidly evolving field that plays a crucial role in the detection and management of infectious diseases, genetic disorders, and various other health conditions. Traditional molecular diagnostic techniques, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and nucleic acid sequencing, have revolutionized clinical practice by enabling the identification of pathogens and biomarkers with high sensitivity and specificity. However, these methods typically require sophisticated laboratory infrastructure, expensive equipment, and highly trained personnel, making them inaccessible in many resource-limited settings. The growing need for rapid, accurate, and decentralized diagnostic solutions—especially in outbreak scenarios, remote areas, and point-of-care contexts—has driven the search for technologies that are both cost-effective and easy to use. Despite advances in molecular diagnostics, current approaches face significant limitations that hinder their widespread adoption outside of specialized laboratories. Most existing platforms involve multi-step workflows, including sample preparation, nucleic acid amplification, and signal detection, each of which can introduce complexity, delay, and potential for error. The reliance on bulky instrumentation and the need for cold-chain storage of reagents further restrict their portability and scalability. Moreover, many diagnostic tools lack the flexibility to be quickly reprogrammed for new or emerging targets, limiting their utility in rapidly evolving public health situations. As a result, there remains a critical unmet need for diagnostic platforms that combine programmability, sensitivity, and simplicity, while leveraging widely available, low-cost devices for readout.
Technology Overview: This technology enables the detection of a wide range of biomarkers—including pathogen genomes, disease-associated nucleic acids, metal ions, and other clinically relevant targets—using a standard handheld glucometer. At its core, the system employs an engineered RNA switch that activates upon binding to a specific DNA or RNA target. This triggers in vitro transcription and translation of a target gene. The resulting enzyme then converts a lactose-based substrate into glucose, which can be directly measured by a conventional glucometer, providing a simple and quantitative readout. The detection process is further enhanced by integrating a CRISPR–Cas complex at the target recognition step, allowing the platform to be easily programmed for the identification of virtually any nucleic acid sequence. What differentiates this technology is its ability to transform a common, low-cost glucometer into a versatile and highly programmable biosensor. Unlike traditional molecular diagnostics that require expensive equipment, specialized reagents, and trained personnel, this solution offers a portable, user-friendly, and cost-effective alternative suitable for point-of-care and resource-limited settings. The use of an RNA switch as a molecular transducer, coupled with CRISPR’s programmability, enables rapid adaptation to new targets and broadens the range of detectable analytes. This unique combination of synthetic biology and accessible hardware democratizes advanced diagnostics, making rapid, field-deployable detection of diverse biomarkers feasible for applications such as infectious disease screening, environmental monitoring, and food safety testing.
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Advantages: • Enables rapid, quantitative detection of diverse biomarkers using a standard handheld glucometer. • Highly versatile and programmable via CRISPR to detect virtually any nucleic acid sequence. • Low-cost, portable, and user-friendly, suitable for point-of-care and resource-limited settings. • Converts molecular recognition events into a simple glucose signal for easy measurement. • Eliminates the need for specialized laboratory equipment and trained personnel. • Applicable to infectious disease diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and food safety testing. • Supports broad biomarker detection, including pathogens, disease-associated nucleic acids, and metal ions.
Applications: • Point-of-care infectious disease diagnostics • Environmental pathogen monitoring • Food safety contaminant detection • Rapid field biomarker screening
Intellectual Property Summary: Patent Pending
Stage of Development: Inquire for more information.
Licensing Status: This technology is available for licensing.