An inexpensive device which facilitates the detection of HPV · dengue / jika fever by a simple inspection using the genomic editing technology "CRISPR" will be developed

Gene editing technology "CRISPR"Inexpensive devices that can quickly diagnose the presence or absence of" HPV "," dengue fever "and" jika fever "are being developed. If this is realized, in developing countries "HPV"Dengue fever"Zika fever"It is said that there is the possibility of revolutionizing the method of quickly detecting and responding to viruses.

New CRISPR tools can detect infections like HPV, dengue, and Zika - The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/2018/2/15/17012866/crispr-detectr-sherlock-zika-dengue-hpv-diagnostic-tools

CRISPR pioneers Jennifer Doudna and Feng ZhangScienceEach paper is published. A paper by Doudna's team "CRISPR-Cas 12a target binding unleashes indiscriminate single-stranded DNase activity","DETECTRA system called "system" has been developed that can accurately identify various types of HPV in samples taken from humans. Also,"Multiplexed and portable nucleic acid detection platform with Cas 13, Cas 12a, and Csm 6", From Zhang's team announced in 2017, a sample of people"Dicavirus"Indicated for detecting harmful bacteria such as" dengue virus "SHERLOCKUpgrade version of "is described.

ByCDC Global

About these two papers, Mitchell O'Connell, Assistant Professor at the University of Rochester, says, "These studies are more widespread than the current technology and enable more cost-effective diagnosis." Scientists are trying to create a mechanism for editing genetic code using CRISPR and are trying to use it to treat diseases, especially genome editing tools called "CRISPR / Cas 9" are well known. There are various types of CRISPR in addition to this.

CRISPR used by Mr. Doudna's team is called "CRISPR / Cas 12a". "CRISPR / Cas 12a" isDouble stranded DNAWhen you cut off,Single stranded DNAI found interesting things to happen that will start destroying. Co-researcher Janice Chen seems to be surprised by the unexpected discovery so far as to say "This is crazy!" And this phenomenon leads to providing an entirely new way to detect DNA sequences.

Chen and others decided to incorporate Cas 12a into a diagnostic tool called "DETECTR". CRISPR is programmed to detect HPV DNA in human cells and upon detection of HPV DNA cleaves the "reporter molecule" of single-stranded DNA which releases a fluorescent signal. If the cells are infected with HPV, scientists will be able to diagnose just by looking at this signal. DETECTR is able to detect HPV 16 with 100% and HPV 18 with 92% accuracy. These two HPVs are considered particularly dangerous, as they may cause cancer in men and women.

ByEd Uthman

Chen said, "Technological progress is also great, but the test of DETECTR is less than 1 dollar (about 110 yen) and can be diagnosed in about an hour, which is cheaper than other tests "It is said that it is important that cost performance is very high. Currently Mr. Chen is working on the development of hardware that anyone can easily read fluorescence signals.

Compared to DETECTR, the diagnostic tool "SHERLOCK" described in Mr. Zhang's article is approaching actual use on site. This system uses various CRISPR enzymes including Cas 12a. In 2017 we announced the use of "CRISPR / Cas 13a" to find "dicavirus", "dengue virus", and other bacterial gene sequences, sequences related to cancer mutations. Currently "SHERLOCK" has 100 times higher sensitivity, and simultaneously detects multiple viruses such as "jika fever" and "dengue fever" with just one sample.

"By placing the various CRISPR enzymes in a single tube it is wonderful that each other 's enzymes work in concert and convey information we can not usually get," Mr. Zhang co - Researcher Jonathan Gootenberg says.

SHERROCK uses a fluorescent signal like DETECTR, but Mr. Zhang's team developed a piece of paper similar to a pregnancy test. It does not need any special equipment, so it is very easy to use. O'Connell says, "In the event of a disaster it can be inspected even in the absence of electricity and it can be disposed on the spot." The paper required for inspection of SHERLOCK is only 2 dollars (about 210 yen).


DETECTR and SHERLOCK have many tasks remaining, such as having to confirm that these systems have really high precision before using them for actual patients. However, if these technologies become available, "the possibility of affecting human health and society is high," said Zhang co-worker Omar Abudayyeh.