PHOTOCLEAVABLE INTERFERING GUIDE RNAS

PHOTOCLEAVABLE INTERFERING GUIDE RNAS AND USE THEREOF

Researchers at Berkeley have developed a novel method of light sensitive control of Cas proteins.

CRISPR-based diagnostic tools can detect DNA or RNA with high sensitivity and specificity. In these systems, enzymes like Cas13a use a guide RNA to find a matching target sequence, which activates the enzyme to cut nearby RNA molecules. This cutting activity is used to generate a fluorescent signal, allowing detection of the target. However, the system can produce background signals even without a target, and it can be difficult to separate signals when testing for multiple targets at once. Improving the ability to distinguish true signals from background noise is a key challenge for making these diagnostics more reliable.

Stage of Research

This invention comprises a novel method to achieve precise spatio-temporal activity of Cas13a activity using light. Briefly, a single photo-cleavable/photodegradable component that links a canonical cRNA to an interfering DNA segment that suppresses the trans-cleavage activity of Casi3a. Prior to light exposure, activity of Cas13 is inhibitied even in the presence of activating (target) RNA molecules. Upon brief light exposure the Cas13a activity rapidly recovers to the full rate for a given guide-target combination. Several levers exist within this system, specifically the length of interfering DNA segment and the intensity of light, which tune the degree of suppression and the level trans-cleavage activity before and after light exposure, respectively.

Applications

• Precise spatio-temporal control of Casl3a assay in droplets
• Co-infection models where two viruses can be detected in a single reaction with accurate estimates of the relative concentrations of both viral RNAs present.

Advantages

• Improved signal to background ratios in thedetection of positive droplets.
• Spatiotemporal control of multiple items in a single reaction.

Stage of Development

Research- in vitro

Technology Reference

CZ Biohub ref. no. CZB-334B

Berkeley Ref. no. BK-2025-117

Keywords

CRISPR, Photodegradable