CRISPR-Cas and Isothermal Amplification Platforms Advance Toward Field-Deployable Pathogen Diagnostics
This review covers the integration of CRISPR/Cas systems with isothermal amplification for rapid, field-deployable molecular diagnostics. It examines innovative integration strategies including physical compartmentalisation, chemical regulation, and nanomaterial-based signal amplification, alongside readout modalities from fluorescence to electrochemical sensing. While challenges in stability, cost, and standardisation remain, the technology is positioned as a versatile platform for point-of-care pathogen detection.
The original study
CRISPR/Cas and isothermal amplification in Pathogen Detection: Applications and future perspectives.
- Authors
- Yong Q, Ou X, Zhao Y, Kang X, Gao H, Liu H, et al.
- Journal
- Talanta
- PMID
- 41855975
Original abstract
Conventional pathogen detection methods are often limited by prolonged turnaround times and laboratory dependency. The integration of CRISPR/Cas systems with isothermal amplification (IA) has emerged as a promising approach to enable rapid, accurate, and field-deployable molecular diagnostics. This review systematically outlines the principles, optimization strategies, and recent advances in CRISPR-Cas and IA-integrated platforms. It highlights how synergistic mechanisms enhance detection sensitivity and examines innovative integration strategies-such as physical compartmentalization, chemical regulation, and intelligent system design-that address key compatibility challenges. The role of nanomaterials in enhancing signal amplification and facilitating system integration is thoroughly discussed. Furthermore, the suitability of various readout modalities-including fluorescence, lateral flow assays, electrochemical sensing, and digital detection-is critically evaluated. While challenges remain in terms of stability, cost, and standardization, future advances in intelligent design, portable device development, and quantitative methodologies are expected to establish this technology as a versatile platform for public health control, food safety monitoring, and related fields. This review provides a comprehensive perspective and methodological reference for researchers engaged in point-of-care testing and diagnostic technology development.