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Bibliography on: CRISPR-Cas

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ESP: PubMed Auto Bibliography 02 Nov 2026 at 01:43 Created: 

CRISPR-Cas

Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR, pronounced crisper) are segments of prokaryotic DNA containing short repetitions of base sequences. Each repetition is followed by short segments of "spacer DNA" from previous exposures to foreign DNA (e.g a virus or plasmid). The CRISPR/Cas system is a prokaryotic immune system that confers resistance to foreign genetic elements such as those present within plasmids and phages, and provides a form of acquired immunity. CRISPR associated proteins (Cas) use the CRISPR spacers to recognize and cut these exogenous genetic elements in a manner analogous to RNA interference in eukaryotic organisms. CRISPRs are found in approximately 40% of sequenced bacterial genomes and 90% of sequenced archaea. By delivering the Cas9 nuclease complexed with a synthetic guide RNA (gRNA) into a cell, the cell's genome can be cut at a desired location, allowing existing genes to be removed and/or new ones added. The Cas9-gRNA complex corresponds with the CAS III crRNA complex in the above diagram. CRISPR/Cas genome editing techniques have many potential applications, including altering the germline of humans, animals, and food crops. The use of CRISPR Cas9-gRNA complex for genome editing was the AAAS's choice for breakthrough of the year in 2015.

Created with PubMed® Query: ( "CRISPR.CAS" OR "crispr/cas" ) NOT pmcbook NOT ispreviousversion

Citations The Papers (from PubMed®)

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RevDate: 2026-11-01
CmpDate: 2026-11-01

Huang D, Shi S, Wang X, et al (2027)

A target amplification-free CRISPR biosensor with digital microfluidic processing for microRNA profiling in AI-enhanced pediatric sepsis diagnosis.

Biosensors & bioelectronics, 316:119298.

MicroRNA signatures provide an informative readout of host-response dysregulation in pediatric sepsis, but their clinical translation remains limited by low target abundance and multiplexing requirements. Here, a target amplification-free CRISPR biosensing platform was established. The sensing mechanism couples Cas13a target recognition to promoter release, template reconstruction, and transcription-driven Cas13a reactivation, enabling fluorescence amplification through internal molecular cycling without amplifying the target miRNAs. Then, an electrowetting-based digital microfluidic chip was designed to compartmentalize parallel reactions and automate droplet generation, reaction assembly, isothermal incubation, magnetic separation, and fluorescence readout. Under optimized conditions, four sepsis-associated biomarkers (miR-15a, miR-21, miR-146a, and miR-155) and the reference control (snRNA U44) were detected at attomolar levels (expected mean input of 1.67 molecules per reaction) with good specificity and minimal inter-droplet interference. The resulting miRNA profiles were then used as input features for machine learning-enhanced sepsis classification and risk assessment. In 252 clinical samples, the resulting model achieved a test-set AUC of 0.973 and an overall accuracy of 92.1%. The model-derived risk score was associated with the Phoenix Sepsis Score and, in a representative longitudinal case, showed preliminary potential to reflect disease evolution. Overall, this platform enables automated analysis of disease-associated miRNA signatures and demonstrates its potential for in-vitro diagnosis of pediatric sepsis.

RevDate: 2026-11-01
CmpDate: 2026-11-01

Li X, Guo Z, Ye W, et al (2027)

Ligation-assisted DNA strand displacements and CRISPR/Cas14 cleavage for ultrasensitive detection of PIWI-interacting RNA.

Biosensors & bioelectronics, 316:119308.

PIWI-interacting RNA (piRNA) as a type of small non-coding RNA holds great promise for managing disease occurrence and progression. Herein, we construct a ligation-assisted DNA strand displacement strategy for enhanced CRISPR/Cas14 cleavage, which provides remarkable SERS and electrochemical responses to indicate trace piRNA information. The upstream reaction is rationally designed to integrate traditional strand displacement amplification (SDA) and ligation-mediated target recycling, which benefits improvement of the efficiency. The generated single-stranded DNA products can activate trans-cleavage activity of Cas14, enabling the DNA structural changes on the sensing interface and subsequent signal measurements. By coupling ligation-assisted SDA (LSDA) and CRISPR/Cas14 system, ultrahigh sensitivity is achieved with low background signal. This method not only reports consistent results comparing with standard qRT-PCR technique, but can discriminates piRNA expressions in samples from breast cancer patients. Therefore, a reliable and practical tool is provided for piRNA related clinical applications.

RevDate: 2026-11-01
CmpDate: 2026-11-01

Lee EY, Lee DG, Kwon JS, et al (2027)

Cleavage-gated Cas13-to-DNA nanostructure transduction for target-preamplification-free viral RNA detection.

Biosensors & bioelectronics, 316:119326.

CRISPR-Cas13a enables programmable RNA recognition without target nucleic-acid preamplification, but conventional assays encode collateral RNase activity by cleaving fluorescent reporters. Here, we developed a cleavage-gated strategy that converts transient Cas13a cleavage into a sequence-defined, strand-displacement-competent DNA actuator, shifting signal encoding from cumulative reporter intensity to a discrete scaffold topology. A chimeric masking hairpin (CMH) links Cas13a to a DNA nanostructure sensor (DNA-NS) by using a cleavable RNA loop to constrain a DNA-key bearing a pre-exposed toehold. Target-activated Cas13a cleaves the loop, converting the partially masked key into a strand-displacement-competent intermediate that reconfigures an M13mp18 scaffold from a linear to a looped state, producing a distinct electrophoretic mobility signature. Screening of 40 CMH-sensor-handle combinations identified a 4-nt toehold paired with an 18-nt sensor handle as the best-performing configuration within the tested design space (component-level ΔΔG = -1.19 kcal/mol at 37 °C). Using pooled crRNAs targeting the S, M, and L genomic segments of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV), the assay detected the lowest tested input concentration of 10.38 fM in all three replicates. In a retrospective case-control evaluation of 87 plasma-derived RNA samples, the assay agreed with RT-qPCR for 45 of 47 positive specimens and 40 healthy controls, yielding a positive percent agreement of 95.7% and a negative percent agreement of 100%. Replacing the crRNAs redirected recognition to Hantaan virus reference RNA without redesigning the CMH or DNA-NS. This work establishes a modular framework for topology-resolved viral RNA detection without target preamplification.

RevDate: 2026-11-01
CmpDate: 2026-11-01

Cha S, Zhang P, Hou J, et al (2027)

Rationally optimized split crRNA-based CRISPR/Cas12a platform for amplification-free miRNA detection.

Biosensors & bioelectronics, 316:119313.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are important biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and prognosis, but their short length, low abundance, and high sequence similarity make rapid and sensitive detection challenging. Split crRNA-based CRISPR/Cas12a systems have emerged as a promising amplification-free strategy for RNA detection, yet the design principles governing their performance remain largely unexplored. Here, we report a rationally engineered split crRNA-Cas12a platform for direct detection of breast cancer-associated miRNAs. Using miR-155 and miR-10b as model targets, the influence of spacer split position on assay performance was systematically evaluated and further interpreted through structural prediction analysis. The results revealed distinct effects of spacer split position on signal output, reaction kinetics, and background signal, providing guidance for the rational design of split crRNA-Cas12a systems. DNA activator design, Cas12a/crRNA ratio, and reaction conditions were further optimized to improve assay performance. The system enabled sensitive detection of miR-155 and miR-10b, achieving limits of detection of 68 and 98 fM, respectively, while maintaining excellent specificity against non-target miRNAs and strong discrimination of mismatched sequences. The assay supported dual-target screening within a single reaction and demonstrated reliable performance in serum-spiked samples. These findings establish key design principles for split crRNA-Cas12a systems and provide a rational framework for engineering amplification-free RNA detection platforms. The proposed platform extends the application of Cas12a for direct RNA detection and provides a promising strategy for rapid biomarker screening in point-of-care and resource-limited settings.

RevDate: 2026-11-01
CmpDate: 2026-11-01

Tang S, Liao X, Chen J, et al (2027)

Programmable thermoregulation of the nuclease activity of LbCas12a.

Biosensors & bioelectronics, 316:119310.

CRISPR-Cas12a holds great promise for molecular diagnostics and gene editing due to its sequence-specific DNA recognition and robust trans-cleavage activity, yet precise tuning of its nuclease activity remains challenging. Herein, we report a simple temperature-regulation strategy using cost-effective ssDNA blockers, that enable hybridize with crRNA functional motifs at low temperatures to block and suppress Cas12a activation, while thermal dissociation at elevated temperatures restores Cas12a activity to realize thermoregulation of Cas12a activity, enabling precise thermal switching within 5 °C (37-42 °C). The cis- and trans-cleavage activity of Cas12a could be activated at desired temperature via different DNA blockers. Coupling this thermoregulated Cas12a system with recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA), we developed a one-tube thermal-start RPA-CRISPR/Cas12a assay, which avoids premature Cas12a activation. This method achieves a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.73 aM against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) with excellent specificity and reproducibility, and exhibits 96.67% concordance with qPCR in clinical specimens. An all-in-one THERMAL-CRISPR POCT platform was developed by using a 3D-printed portable device for streamlined clinical testing, with clinical sensitivity of 90.48% and 100% specificity. This programmable thermal modulation strategy provides a novel and simple technical route for constructing robust, engineerable CRISPR tools for point-of-care diagnostic and gene editing.

RevDate: 2026-11-01
CmpDate: 2026-11-01

Yu H, Wu Y, Liu Y, et al (2026)

CRISPRa screen unveils noncanonical NF-κB to boost the antitumor activity of TCR-based CAR-T cells.

Cellular & molecular immunology, 23(11):1513-1528.

Engineering autologous T cells for adoptive therapies has revolutionized cancer treatment, yet limited persistence remains a major barrier to robust clinical responses and durable disease control. Although costimulation with 4-1BB markedly improves CAR-T-cell persistence, no comparably effective approach has been identified to enhance persistence in T-cell therapies that rely on native TCR signaling, including conventional TCR-T cells and synthetic T-cell receptor and antigen receptor (STAR) T cells. To identify intrinsic persistence regulators in a TCR-based context, we performed an in vivo CRISPR activation screen in STAR-T cells and identified the noncanonical NF-κB axis, with RELB as the top hit. Direct RELB overexpression, however, exhibited dose-dependent cytotoxicity, motivating a translational alternative: overexpression of p52, the ncNF-κB transcription partner of RELB. Under prolonged antigen exposure, p52 overexpression sustained proliferation, preserved effector functions, and increased the intratumoral trafficking potential, particularly in CD8[+] T cells, thereby yielding superior tumor control. Mechanistically, transcriptomic profiling revealed coordinated upregulation of cell cycle programs and chemokine receptors, along with downregulation of apoptosis and exhaustion-associated modules. Moreover, p52 overexpression restored RELB nuclear translocation in the context of PD-1/PD-L1 engagement, indicating partial resistance to checkpoint-mediated suppression and sustained ncNF-κB activity in PD-L1[hi] immunosuppressive environments. Collectively, our findings identify p52 as an antigen-dependent enhancer of ncNF-κB, conferring durable persistence and checkpoint resilience on TCR-based T cells and providing a feasible strategy to improve therapeutic effects in solid tumors.

RevDate: 2026-11-01
CmpDate: 2026-11-01

Yang X, Zeng X, Qi G, et al (2027)

Unified hybrid RNA-regulated CRISPR diagnostic for concurrent Mycobacterium tuberculosis detection and rifampicin resistance profiling.

Biosensors & bioelectronics, 316:119329.

CRISPR-based nucleic acid detection is challenged by protospacer adjacent motif (PAM) dependency, amplicon consumption and single-tube multiplexing barriers, and poor discrimination of single-nucleotide variations (SNVs). These limitations are particularly acute in detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) and rifampicin (RIF) resistance mutations for tuberculosis (TB) diagnostics. Herein, we devised TB-SCANER, a broad-spectrum, one-pot CRISPR-Cas12a diagnostic platform for MTB detection and RIF resistance profiling. The assay employs two unlocking single-stranded RNAs (uLsRNAs) transcribed from RPA products to unlock four cis-cleavage-locked CRISPR-Cas12a systems via distinct locking single-stranded RNAs (LsRNAs), establishing a two-to-four hybrid logic: one uLsRNA carries a single unlocking module for the M channel (targeting mpb64 gene), whereas the other contains three tandem modules engaging LsRNAs for subregions R1, R2, R3 within rpoB gene. With genomic DNA, detection limits are 50 fg/reaction (∼10 copies) for mpb64 and 500 fg/reaction (∼100 copies) for rpoB. The assay reliably identified clinically dominant rpoB mutations (Leu511Pro, Asp516Gly, His526Tyr, Ser531Leu) and low-prevalence variants (Ser522Met, His526Arg, Leu533Pro). For cultured isolates, TB-SCANER was 100% concordant with Sanger sequencing for RIF resistance mutation profiling; in clinical samples, it matched Xpert for MTB detection (100%), outperformed culture sensitivity (100% vs. 93.8%), and was fully concordant with Sanger sequencing for RIF resistance, eliminating Xpert's false-positive while identifying all resistant strains. Collectively, TB-SCANER is a rapid, accurate, low-cost, one-pot CRISPR diagnostic that overcomes multiplexing barriers, enabling concurrent MTB detection and RIF resistance profiling particularly in resource-limited settings, and features built-in adaptability to other pathogens.

RevDate: 2026-11-01
CmpDate: 2026-11-01

Wan C, Liu W, Pan S, et al (2027)

DNA assisting CRISPR-Cas13a activation regulating assay for detection of DNA mutation and miRNAs.

Biosensors & bioelectronics, 316:119344.

Cas13a is an RNA-targeting effector system with exceptional sensitivity, essential for applications such as mutation discrimination, RNA biomarker quantification and dynamic monitoring. However, precise control over its activation kinetics and thermodynamics remains a fundamental challenge, limiting its use in nucleic acid detection. Here, we present the DNA-Assisting CRISPR-Cas13a Activation Regulating (DACAR) Assay, which employs a single-stranded DNA blocker to occupy the crRNA spacer. Through programmable toehold-mediated strand displacement (TMSD) and toehold-exchange (TE) reactions, DACAR is able to control the thermodynamics and kinetics of Cas13a activation at two different levels. Systematic modulation of toehold length and direction yields a tunable cleavage rate gradient, while TE-based free-energy tuning facilitates an ON/OFF gating mode. For single-nucleotide variant (SNV) discrimination, DACAR-TE amplifies thermodynamic mismatch effects, achieving a discrimination factor of 162.4 and a detection limit of 0.05% mutant abundance for the KRAS G12D mutation. The Switch-DACAR system also enables sequential detection of miR-155 and miR-21 in a single tube, with a detection limit of 10 pM. To sum up, DACAR provides a unified, programmable framework for precise molecular-level control of Cas13a, advancing its potential in diagnostics and molecular logic.

RevDate: 2026-11-01
CmpDate: 2026-11-01

Zhao J, Gao M, Ding H, et al (2027)

Unipoint-anchored cascade amplification strategy integrating FUSE probe-activated CRISPR-Cas12a for dual mode osteopontin detection toward osteosarcoma assessment and therapeutic response evaluation.

Biosensors & bioelectronics, 316:119343.

Reliable assessment of disease status and therapeutic response in osteosarcoma remains an unmet clinical need. Integrative bioinformatics analysis and protein-level verification in paired clinical specimens prioritized secreted phosphoprotein 1 (SPP1, osteopontin) as a liquid biopsy target associated with osteosarcoma progression and patient survival. On this basis, CRUMP, a CRISPR-Cas12a and FUSE Probe-based dual-mode biosensing platform, was developed for SPP1 quantification. A bifunctional NH2-ZIF-8 probe co-immobilizes the components required for target recognition and Cas12a activation, while MoS2@AuNPs interfaces transduce the resulting signals. Signal amplification is achieved through a unipoint-anchored multisite cascade based on a DNA tetrahedron-HCR architecture, enabling one-to-multiple parallel amplification while balancing stability and sensitivity. A single Cas12a cleavage event simultaneously decreases the electrochemical (EC) signal and increases the fluorescence (FL) signal. These reciprocal changes allow the two readouts to provide an internal consistency check for each measurement. Each channel covers more than five orders of magnitude, with detection limits of 167.7 fg/mL for EC and 331.6 fg/mL for FL. The broad measurement ranges allow most serum samples to be analyzed directly, without the per-sample dilution optimization that ELISA requires, and the complete analysis takes only approximately 85 min. Validation across osteosarcoma cell lines, clinical specimens, and tumor-bearing mouse models provided preliminary evidence for the feasibility of CRUMP in SPP1 quantification and endpoint assessment of chemotherapeutic response. By combining biomarker prioritization, biosensor engineering, and preliminary application testing, this work presents CRUMP as a candidate platform for SPP1-based assessment of osteosarcoma and its therapeutic response.

RevDate: 2026-11-01
CmpDate: 2026-11-01

Xiong Y, Li L, Huang J, et al (2027)

Target-triggered exponential amplification-enhanced CRISPR/Cas12a system with a fluorescence-quenching lateral flow assay for ultrasensitive detection of Salmonella typhimurium.

Biosensors & bioelectronics, 316:119351.

The use of the CRISPR/Cas12a system combined with lateral flow assays shows significant promise for point-of-care testing in resource-limited regions. However, the use of isothermal amplification technologies to preenrich target DNA fragments inherently increases the risk of aerosol contamination during strip testing. Here, we introduce a target-triggered exponential amplification-enhanced CRISPR/Cas12a system combined with a fluorescence-quenching lateral flow assay (TEA-FQLFA) for ultrasensitive detection of Salmonella typhimurium. The TEA system converts a single Cas12a recognition event into sequential dual Cas12a activation, initiating a cleavage cascade amplification that achieves a 10[6]-fold signal enhancement without the need for a target DNA preamplification operation. Moreover, hyperbranched gold-coated polymer microspheres (HGPMs), characterized by ultrahigh extinction coefficients and a broad absorption band in the 300-800 nm range, are utilized as fluorescence quenching reporters of the FQLFA for simultaneous colorimetric visualization and fluorescence-based quantitative detection of target DNA concentration. By leveraging the synergistic integration of TEA-mediated signal amplification and HGPM-enabled optical signal enhancement, the TEA-FQLFA system achieves attomolar-level detection of target DNA (0.081 aM) and enables sensitive detection of Salmonella typhimurium in complex food matrices, with detection limits of 7.95 CFU/mL in colorimetric mode and 6.94 CFU/mL in fluorescence mode. In summary, this work establishes a versatile platform that integrates cascade signal amplification with dual-mode lateral-flow for ultrasensitive food safety detection.

RevDate: 2026-11-01
CmpDate: 2026-11-01

Wang X, Shi X, Zheng X, et al (2027)

A DNAzyme-activated engineered crRNA enables CRISPR-Cas12a biosensing of ALP and S. aureus.

Biosensors & bioelectronics, 316:119360.

CRISPR-Cas12a biosensing is hindered by insufficient sensitivity that necessitates pre-amplification, as well as the limited ability to directly detect non-nucleic-acid targets. Herein, we developed a CRISPR-Cas12a biosensor centered on a DNAzyme-activated engineered crRNA (e-crRNA), enabling Mn[2+]-responsive control over its trans-cleavage activity for nucleic-acid-amplification-free detection. Upon Mn[2+]-dependent activation, the DNAzyme cleaved the e-crRNA to liberate a full-sized crRNA1 and a split crRNA2. The combined crRNA1/crRNA2 system enhanced Cas12a trans-cleavage activity, compensating for the activity loss associated with crRNA engineering. Rational design of the split site further improved the signal-to-noise ratio. Moreover, by gating the system activation on Mn[2+], the non-specific activation effects caused by spurious DNA hybridization were mitigated. When coupled with a Mn[2+]-responsive signal conversion strategy, this platform achieved sensitive detection of alkaline phosphatase with the LOD of 0.008 U/L and Staphylococcus aureus with the LOD of 29.76 CFU/mL. This study showcased the innovative use of Mn[2+]-dependent DNAzyme to efficiently activate CRISPR-Cas12a system, establishing a powerful platform for biosensing.

RevDate: 2026-10-29
CmpDate: 2026-10-27

Zhu M, Sun Z, Xu K, et al (2026)

Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Genome-Wide CRISPR-Cas Screens to Identify Host Factors Involved in HIV-1 Infection.

Viruses, 18(10):.

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) replication depends on a complex interplay between viral proteins and host cellular factors, which represent promising therapeutic targets. However, systematic integration of results from genome-wide CRISPR screens for HIV host factors remains limited. Here, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of pooled genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 screens to identify host dependency, restriction, and latency-promoting factors in HIV-1 infection. Following PRISMA guidelines, we identified 11 eligible studies from which we extracted 26 gene lists. These were classified into three phenotypic categories, including dependency (5 lists), restriction (10 lists), and latency-promoting (7 lists), and integrated using meta-analysis by information content (MAIC). GO over-representation analysis and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis were performed on MAIC-ranked gene lists to characterize pathway architectures. MAIC successfully recovered well-established host factors, including the entry receptors CD4, CCR5, and CXCR4; the integration cofactor PSIP1 (LEDGF/p75); and the restriction factors TRIM5, TRIM22, PML, G3BP1, and EIF2AK2. RNF114 emerged as the top-ranked restriction factor, supported by four independent publication-level categories. Additional high-confidence hits included TRIM56, BIRC3, DTX3L, and components of the ubiquitin-proteasome system across the dependency and latency datasets, further supporting the robustness of the MAIC framework. Beyond these canonical factors, we identified multiple undercharacterized genes and pathways, including coagulation and IL-17 signaling in dependency factors, SUMOylation and DNA damage response in restriction factors, and the Integrator complex and proteasome-granule co-enrichment in latency-promoting factors. Leading-edge analysis confirmed that most of these non-canonical enrichments are driven by coherent gene modules rather than a small set of pleiotropic hubs. These findings reveal distinct pathway architectures across the three infection states and highlight previously unrecognized host processes that may serve as targets for antiviral therapy. Our analysis provides a comprehensive resource for guiding future mechanistic studies of host-HIV interactions and developing strategies to enhance immunity, block viral replication, and reverse latency.

RevDate: 2026-10-28
CmpDate: 2026-10-27

Hu Z, Hailai A, He H, et al (2026)

Advances in Diagnostic Technologies of Major Avian Respiratory Viruses: A Review.

Veterinary sciences, 13(10):.

Avian respiratory diseases, particularly those induced by the avian influenza virus (AIV), Newcastle disease virus (NDV), infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), and infectious laryngotracheitis virus (ILTV), represent a substantial economic threat to the global poultry industry. Several of these viruses can also transmit across species, posing risks to public health security. Given the challenges posed by similar clinical symptoms from different pathogens, the prevalence of co-infections, and rapid viral mutations, rapid, precise, and highly sensitive diagnostic techniques are imperative for effective disease prevention and control, epidemic surveillance, and epidemiological research. This review provides an overview of molecular and immunological diagnostic techniques for major avian respiratory viruses. All covered technologies are evaluated and compared across key performance metrics: target type, analytical sensitivity, multiplex capacity, turnaround time, point-of-care diagnostic techniques (POCT) suitability and application scenarios. Specifically, the review details real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) and its multiplex formats, isothermal amplification methods including loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), recombinase-aided amplification (RAA) and recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA), and innovative CRISPR-Cas-based nucleic acid detection systems. It also examines high-throughput sequencing, microarray technologies, and advanced immunological assays enhanced by nanomaterials, recombinant proteins, and single-domain antibodies. The review further discusses integrated, automated, and portable diagnostic platforms, including microfluidics, and smartphone-assisted systems. Finally, the review outlines future trends in avian diagnostic technologies, providing a practical reference for building more efficient and accessible avian disease surveillance and early warning systems.

RevDate: 2026-10-30
CmpDate: 2026-10-28

Liu K, Li X, Zhao M, et al (2026)

A CRISPR-based 'dam-break drainage' sensing architecture for rapid, affordable and ultrasensitive pathogen detection.

Nature communications, 17(1):.

Nucleic acid testing is important for infectious-disease diagnosis, but combining high sensitivity with accessible testing remains challenging. Here we show a chip-based visual detection strategy for one or two viral RNA targets that involves only sample loading, without further instrumentation or manual actuation. Target-activated CRISPR-Cas13a alters the wettability of a molecular barrier, causing liquid to cross a preset threshold and generate a dam-break drainage signal. The chip detects a single target at 10 aM within 2 min and two targets at 100 aM within 5 min, with costs of $0.20 and $0.30 per test, respectively. We further establish a practical clinical-sample workflow combining room-temperature lysis with RNase inhibition and validate the platform across 40 nasal-swab samples tested for SARS-CoV-2, influenza A virus and influenza B virus, with results concordant with RT-PCR. This threshold-based fluidic strategy provides a route towards rapid, low-cost and instrument-free molecular testing outside centralized laboratories.

RevDate: 2026-10-31
CmpDate: 2026-10-31

Yang T, Tian Z, Guan Z, et al (2027)

Quantitative detection of the diabetic retinopathy-associated microRNA-1281 via a CRISPR/Cas12a-RCA ratiometric sensing platform.

Talanta, 313(Pt B):130655.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a major microvascular complication of diabetes, yet accessible molecular tools for early-stage screening remain limited. Circulating microRNAs are promising non-invasive biomarkers for DR, but their reliable quantification in serum is hindered by low abundance, matrix interference, and limited robustness of single-signal assays. Here, we report a Cas12a-RCA ratiometric sensing platform (CRRSP) for the quantitative detection of the DR-associated biomarker miR-1281. The assay is constructed using a target-triggered cascaded strand-displacement circuit that enforces sequential molecular recognition prior to amplification, thereby improving specificity. Upon target recognition, rolling circle amplification (RCA) generates DNA products that simultaneously produce a thioflavin T (ThT) fluorescence signal via G-quadruplex (G4) formation and sequester the Cas12a/gRNA Activator strand to suppress ROX fluorescence. This dual-channel ThT/ROX readout enables intrinsic ratiometric normalization, effectively compensating for matrix effects and experimental variability. The workflow operates under sequential constant-temperature steps without PCR-type thermal cycling. The assay achieves a detection limit of 0.83 pM with high selectivity and shows excellent agreement with RT-qPCR in clinical serum samples from healthy controls, glaucoma patients, and patients with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) or proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR).

RevDate: 2026-10-31
CmpDate: 2026-10-31

Zhang J, Yang Y, Wu Y, et al (2026)

Terminal-overhang-restricted CRISPR logic nanodevice for precision cancer therapy.

Journal of controlled release : official journal of the Controlled Release Society, 399(Pt B):115433.

The limited precision of controlled drug release remains a major challenge for precision cancer therapy. Herein, a protein and nucleic acid dual-biomarker-responsive CRISPR AND logic nanodevice, termed LogiCas, is developed by integrating APE1 and miRNA-21 as dual inputs for precise tumor therapy. Leveraging the stringent conformational matching required for Cas12a activation, LogiCas utilizes the terminal redundancy restriction of the split activator to establish a dual-lock, stepwise activation mechanism consisting of APE1-mediated pre-unlocking and miRNA-21-mediated terminal activation, enforcing tightly gated control over Cas12a trans-cleavage. The activated Cas12a further cleaves Ce6-BHQ3 to trigger Ce6-mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT), generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) that in turn drive the nuclear-to-cytoplasmic translocation of APE1, contributing to an APE1-mediated positive feedback effect. In a nude mouse model, LogiCas achieves tumor-site-specific drug release, demonstrating robust antitumor efficacy with ∼91% tumor inhibition, without obvious systemic toxicity. This work provides a new design strategy for integrating protein and nucleic acid biomarkers across molecular levels to enable CRISPR-mediated precision therapeutic activation.

RevDate: 2026-10-31
CmpDate: 2026-10-31

Wu Z, Ma Y, Li X, et al (2027)

CRISPR/Cas12a-powered self-sustaining catalytic nucleic acid circuit for highly sensitive detection of aflatoxin B1.

Talanta, 313(Pt B):130809.

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a highly toxic mycotoxin and strongly carcinogenic and teratogenic to humans. Achieving CRISPR-based sensing system for highly sensitive detection of AFB1 remains a significant challenge. A CRISPR/Cas12a-powered self-sustaining catalytic nucleic acid circuit (CPSCN) is proposed for the sensitive and accurate detection of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). In the CPSCN sensing system, CRISPR/Cas12a/gRNA1 indirectly recognizes AFB1 by aptamer and effectively triggers trans-cleavage of a pair of self-reporting single-stranded DNA-locked RNA2 fluorescence probes (named as dual-winged fluorescence probe). The released RNA2 then initiates an autocatalytic positive feedback loop, resulting in continuous probe cleavage. The CPSCN system achieves highly sensitive detection in a single-enzyme one-step process. The method exhibits excellent quantitative capability for AFB1 detection with a detection limit of 7.5 pg/mL. In real samples, the detection results of the proposed biosensor show high consistency with those obtained by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). This work not only provides a novel strategy for AFB1 detection with high sensitivity, robustness, and operational simplicity, but also offers a new insight for designing signal amplification strategies of CRISPR-based biosensors.

RevDate: 2026-10-28
CmpDate: 2026-10-27

Li S, Gao J, Miao Y, et al (2026)

A Review of Recombinase-Aided Amplification (RAA) in Veterinary Medicine.

Microorganisms, 14(10):.

Rapid and accurate pathogen detection is crucial to mitigating the significant economic impacts of infectious animal diseases. Recombinase-aided amplification (RAA) has emerged as a highly promising isothermal diagnostic tool, characterized by its rapid turnaround time, robust amplification efficiency, and single-copy analytical sensitivity. In veterinary diagnostics, RAA has evolved from single-pathogen proof-of-concept assays to become a promising technology for point-of-care scenarios. This review critically evaluates the integration of RAA with real-time fluorescence, CRISPR-Cas systems, lateral flow dipsticks (LFDs), and suspension microarray technologies, highlighting their impact on assay sensitivity and point-of-care (POC) applicability. Despite recent advancements, including encouraging progress in multiplexing and expanded applications in companion animal medicine, inherent challenges such as matrix effects in crude clinical samples, aerosol contamination risks, and commercialization barriers remain. By benchmarking RAA against traditional molecular methods and structurally similar technologies like recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA), this review outlines future trajectories for optimizing RAA platforms, aiming to maximize their utility in routine veterinary surveillance and epidemiological control.

RevDate: 2026-10-28
CmpDate: 2026-10-27

Wang Z, Wang J, Li L, et al (2026)

CRISPR/Cas12a-Based Aptasensor for Cas9 Protein Detection in Spiked Food Matrices.

Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 31(20):.

Residual gene editors are a concern associated with the widespread application of CRISPR/Cas9 technology. Here, we developed a CRISPR/Cas12a-based fluorescent aptasensor for the qualitative and quantitative detection of Cas9 protein. Secondary structure prediction and molecular docking were combined to identify potential binding sites of the Cas9-specific aptamer. A fluorescence aptasensor was constructed based on competitive binding: in the presence of Cas9, the aptamer binds to the target and releases complementary DNA (cDNA), which activates the trans-cleavage activity of Cas12a. Cas12a subsequently cleaves a single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) reporter labeled with a fluorophore and a quencher, generating a fluorescence signal, expressed in relative fluorescence units (RFU), that increases with Cas9 concentration. The optimized conditions comprised a trans-cleavage reaction time of 20 min, a Cas12a:CRISPR RNA (crRNA) molar ratio of 1:1, a final aptamer concentration of 180 nM, and a combination of low- and high-salt buffers to balance molecular recognition and protein stability. The proposed assay enabled Cas9 protein detection in buffer and Cas9-spiked soybean milk and cereal matrices. These results represent a proof-of-concept evaluation in complex food matrices rather than validation of authentic residual Cas9 detection. Further studies using unspiked gene-edited samples with independently verified Cas9 residues and an orthogonal reference method are required.

RevDate: 2026-10-30
CmpDate: 2026-10-30

Yin J, Gao Y, Jing Y, et al (2026)

CRISPR screening identifies GNPTAB as a noncanonical STING activator driving cellular senescence.

Protein & cell, 17(11):1046-1059.

Cellular senescence is accompanied by profound lysosomal alterations, yet whether lysosome-associated factors actively drive aging remains unclear. Through a focused CRISPR/Cas9 screen in human mesenchymal progenitor cells (hMPCs), we identified N-acetylglucosamine-1-phosphotransferase subunits alpha and beta (GNPTAB), an enzyme responsible for lysosomal hydrolase targeting, as a positive regulator of cellular senescence. Genetic ablation of GNPTAB attenuated senescence, whereas its overexpression accelerated senescence. This pro-senescent function occurred independently of GNPTAB's canonical enzymatic role. Instead, GNPTAB binds to the innate immune adaptor stimulator of interferon genes (STING) through an interface involving the critical residue E1119, leading to activation of STING and its downstream TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1), as well as pro-inflammatory gene expression. A STING-binding-deficient GNPTAB mutant (E1119A) preserved canonical lysosomal functions but failed to induce senescence, while STING depletion abolished GNPTAB-driven senescence. Together, these findings uncover a new signaling pathway wherein GNPTAB engages STING to facilitate its activation, suggesting that the GNPTAB-STING interaction interface may serve as a potential therapeutic target for ameliorating age-related cellular dysfunction.

RevDate: 2026-10-29
CmpDate: 2026-10-29

Greeshma M, AI Bhat (2027)

CRISPR-Cas12a-assisted RT-RPA-LFA for rapid cluster IV-specific detection of cardamom mosaic virus in crude plant extracts.

Journal of virological methods, 347:115468.

Cardamom mosaic virus (CdMV), associated with mosaic/katte disease in cardamom, is a highly destructive virus that leads to severe reductions in plant growth and yield. High levels of genetic variability approaching species-level divergence exist among CdMV isolates from different geographical regions. Development of a cluster-specific diagnostic assay can enable reliable detection of locally prevalent virus populations and differentiate them from divergent ones. Therefore, in the present study, a CRISPR-Cas12a-coupled reverse transcription-recombinase polymerase amplification-lateral flow assay (RT-RPA-CRISPR-LFA) was developed for cluster IV-specific detection of Idukki isolates of CdMV. The viral target sequence (coat protein) was first amplified through RT-RPA using virus-specific primers designed from conserved region present in all strains of CdMV and crude plant extract template. The amplified product was subsequently recognized by CRISPR-Cas12a complex guided by a crRNA designed to specifically detect CdMV isolates associated with Idukki region of Kerala, triggering trans-cleavage activity of the complex and subsequent cleavage of the lateral flow reporter (LF reporter). This generated a visually detectable signal by LFA. The optimum assay performance was achieved with an RT-RPA incubation time of 10 min, LF reporter, Cas12a, and crRNA concentrations of 500, 75, and 125nM, respectively, and a CRISPR-Cas12a reaction incubation time of 1h. The assay was specific for CdMV strains representing Idukki region of Kerala and exhibited a detection limit of 1 fg (2.4 × 10[2] copies), which was 10 times less sensitive than qPCR. Practical feasibility and consistency of the assay were verified through validation using different field samples of cardamom.

RevDate: 2026-10-30
CmpDate: 2026-10-30

Lahlou G, Cornille M, Lai N, et al (2026)

Emerging Therapies for Genetic Deafness: The Rise of Precision Gene Editing.

Ear and hearing, 47(6):1497-1508.

Hearing loss is a prevalent sensory disorder with profound social and health impacts. Although hearing aids and cochlear implants can significantly restore auditory perception, they do not address the underlying genetic causes. Inherited forms of hearing loss, often monogenic, are ideal candidates for gene therapy, particularly since over 150 genes have been linked to deafness. Advances in vector engineering and genome editing technologies now enable precise targeting of auditory cells within the inner ear. Technologies such as Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats-Cas systems, base editing, and prime editing offer powerful tools to correct pathogenic variants at their native genomic loci. This review summarizes the current landscape of gene editing approaches for both hereditary and acquired hearing loss, emphasizing key preclinical studies in mouse models encompassing dominant and recessive forms of deafness. We discuss the advantages and limitations of different editing techniques, vector delivery systems, and administration routes, and explore obstacles including editing efficiency, cell-specific targeting, and the translation of these therapies to humans. Collectively, these advances represent a pivotal step toward variant-specific, durable, and potentially curative treatments for hearing loss.

RevDate: 2026-10-29
CmpDate: 2026-10-27

Yin Q, L Chen (2026)

xNNPCD identifies regulators of programmed cell death by integrating perturbation transcriptomes with cancer dependency profiles.

NAR cancer, 8(4):zcag031.

Programmed cell death (PCD) encompasses regulated processes whose dysregulation shapes cancer fitness, yet computational studies use known PCD genes for prognosis rather than discovering regulators. We developed xNNPCD, an interpretable neural-network framework that links CRISPR-Cas9 perturbation signatures from CMap to gene dependency profiles from DepMap. The model constrains hidden neurons to five PCD pathways and iteratively refines a prior gene-PCD pathway mask matrix derived from GO, KEGG, and Reactome using pathway-neuron ablation. This converts binary gene-pathway relationships into continuous-valued associations and improves dependency prediction over random forests, fully connected multi-layer perceptrons, and its own non-iterative variant. The learned mask matrix recovers annotated death regulators and nominates candidate regulators, including RPL23A, HSPA5, SNRPA1, SLC6A2, and ASAH1; combined with dependency scores, it separates pathway coupling from regulatory direction. Transferring the refined mask matrix and learned weights to compound-induced perturbation data enables in silico drug screening, identifying BRD-K19103580 and decitabine as therapeutic agents for apoptosis and ferroptosis, respectively. The pathway-resolved drug profiles can facilitate the design of combination therapies targeting complementary PCD pathways to overcome single-pathway resistance. Overall, xNNPCD offers a pan-cancer, interpretable approach that generalizes across perturbation modalities for mapping the regulatory landscape and elucidating the molecular processes of PCD in cancer.

RevDate: 2026-10-27
CmpDate: 2026-10-27

Wang Y, Huang E, Zhang Z, et al (2026)

Fluorescence Encoding-Enabled Multiplexed Droplet Digital Recombinase Polymerase Amplification-CRISPR/Cas12a Assay for Rapid Screening of Lower Respiratory Tract Infection-Associated Bacterial Pathogens.

ACS nano, 20(42):28655-28667.

Digital RPA-CRISPR/Cas12a assays enable accurate nucleic acid quantification; however, their multiplexing capacity is inherently limited by signal confounding arising from the promiscuous trans-cleavage activity of Cas12a effectors. To overcome this limitation, we developed a fluorescence encoding-enabled multiplexed droplet digital RPA-CRISPR/Cas12a (FLEMD-CRISPR) assay that integrates combinatorial fluorescence encoding, deterministic droplet pairing within a calabash-shaped microwell array, and a machine learning-assisted decoding pipeline. In FLEMD-CRISPR, small-volume fluorescence-encoded CRISPR/Cas12a droplets, each assigned a unique spectral signature corresponding to a specific crRNA, are one-to-one paired with large-volume RPA droplets. Following RPA amplification and droplet merging, Cas12a-mediated reporter cleavage occurs only in droplets containing target amplicons. The decoding pipeline then localizes droplets, classifies their colors to assign crRNA identities, and finally detects positive signals, enabling high-throughput, hands-off analysis of the entire droplet array. FLEMD-CRISPR enabled simultaneous quantification of nucleic acid targets from eight major lower respiratory tract infection-associated bacterial pathogens, showing strong linear correlation (R2 = 0.9987-0.9998) and consistent detection efficiency (slopes = 0.9849-1.0198) relative to single-plex digital PCR. The complete workflow, from sample preparation to final readout, can be completed within 2 h. Clinical validation using 30 bronchoalveolar lavage fluid samples showed that the bacterial detection outcomes of FLEMD-CRISPR were highly concordant with standard-of-care culture, achieving 100% (20/20) positive percent agreement and 99.1% (218/220) negative percent agreement. By enabling panel reconfiguration through simple modifications of the droplet encoding library, FLEMD-CRISPR provides a flexible platform for the development of highly multiplexed digital CRISPR assays.

RevDate: 2026-10-28
CmpDate: 2026-10-27

Alsaady IM (2026)

CRISPR/Cas-Based Molecular Diagnostics for Intestinal Parasites: From Proof-of-Concept to Point-of-Care Testing.

Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland), 16(20):.

Intestinal parasitic infections remain a significant global public health concern, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, where timely and accurate diagnosis is essential for effective disease management and control. Although conventional diagnostic methods, including microscopy, antigen detection, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), are widely used, each possesses inherent limitations related to sensitivity, turnaround time, laboratory infrastructure, or point-of-care applicability. Recent advances in clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated (Cas) systems have led to the development of highly sensitive and rapid molecular diagnostic platforms suitable for decentralized testing. This review summarizes current applications of CRISPR/Cas-based diagnostics for intestinal and foodborne parasitic infections, with particular emphasis on assays developed for Giardia duodenalis, Cryptosporidium parvum, Clonorchis sinensis, Fasciola hepatica, and Schistosoma spp. Published studies have predominantly employed Cas12a, with additional applications of Cas12b and Cas13a and, more recently, a type I-A Cascade-Cas3 system, generally coupled with isothermal amplification methods such as recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) or recombinase-aided amplification (RAA), enabling highly sensitive detection within 60-90 min using fluorescence or lateral-flow strip readouts. The available evidence indicates high analytical sensitivity and specificity, with several assays demonstrating substantial agreement with conventional molecular methods and potential for point-of-care development. However, current CRISPR-based assays remain limited by dependence on nucleic acid extraction, relatively small clinical validation cohorts, lack of standardized protocols, and the persistence of false-negative results associated with low parasite burdens and pre-analytical variables. Emerging strategies, including simplified or extraction-free sample preparation, one-pot sample-to-answer platforms, and detection of parasite-derived cell-free DNA, may further enhance the clinical utility of CRISPR diagnostics. Overall, CRISPR/Cas-based technologies represent a promising next-generation approach for intestinal parasite diagnosis, although large-scale clinical validation and workflow optimization are still required before widespread implementation in routine clinical and field settings.

RevDate: 2026-10-28
CmpDate: 2026-10-27

Aliev T, Imatdinov A, Prudnikova E, et al (2026)

Engineering of the High-Precision Cas12m Dual Base Editor-Loaded Virus-like Particles for A-to-G and C-to-T Conversions.

Genes, 17(10):.

Background/Objectives: CRISPR/Cas-dependent base editing enables the precise correction of genomic sequences by direct modification of DNA bases without creating potentially mutagenic DNA double-strand breaks. Base editing is considered a therapeutic approach for rare monogenic disorders or viral infections. However, many variants of base editors suffer from limited specificity because they induce bystander edits within a broad editing window. However, nucleotide substitution is sufficient to correct a mutation or to achieve a therapeutic effect. Methods: PCR, cloning by restriction digest, and ligation were used to create genetic constructs. The editing efficiency was evaluated using NGS. Virus-like particles were produced in HEK293T cells using transient expression. VLPs were visualized by electron microscopy. Results: Using dual base editors that induce C-to-T and A-to-G substitutions, we show that high editing precision can be achieved by engineering the linker between the MmCas12m domain and the deaminase domain of the editor. By testing different linker sequences, we have created high-precision dual base editors with narrowed editing windows that can edit a single nucleotide at a target position with high accuracy. Conclusions: We found that shortening the linker to an acceptable length provides a single-nucleotide substitution in vitro with minimal bystander activity (less than 0.8%), while the high-precision MmCas12m dual base editor retains up to 90% of the editing efficiency of the original base editor. These high-precision base editors will be useful in cases where high precision is required, and editing of adjacent nucleotides is undesirable.

RevDate: 2026-10-28
CmpDate: 2026-10-27

Duan Y, Xu K, Zhou H, et al (2026)

IndelQuant: A Workflow for Cost-Efficient Amplicon Sequencing Analysis of Genome-Edited Chickens.

International journal of molecular sciences, 27(20):.

Accurate quantification of Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9-induced insertions and deletions (indels) is essential in chicken genome-editing studies, where low editing efficiencies and mosaicism can complicate the assessment of target-site modifications. Existing assays often involve a trade-off between affordability and the sensitivity orsequence information needed for detailed analysis. Here, we introduce IndelQuant, a cost-efficient workflow integrating sample-specific barcode PCR, pooled amplicon library construction, AdapterRemoval3-based read processing, and CRISPResso2-based indel quantification. The workflow provides graphical and tabularsummaries of editing efficiency, indel positions, indel-size distributions, and sample-level mutation profiles. We evaluated the workflow in TYR-edited DF-1 cells and genome-edited chickens. In edited chickens, IndelQuant detected tissue-specific indel signals, most below 5%, while negative controls showed background frequencies from 0 to 0.03%. These findings indicate that IndelQuant retains the sequence-level information provided by amplicon sequencing while simplifying sample processing and analysis, offering a practical approach to routine screening for low-frequency and mosaic indels in poultry genome-editing studies.

RevDate: 2026-10-28
CmpDate: 2026-10-27

Irum , Tripathi G, Ahmad S, et al (2026)

Terpenoids: A Comprehensive Review on Biosynthesis, Applications and Enhancement Strategies for Translational Research.

International journal of molecular sciences, 27(20):.

There is growing interest in natural bioactive compounds as potentially safer and more sustainable sources of therapeutic agents. Terpenoids, one of the most structurally diverse and biologically active classes of natural products, are derived from repeating isoprene units and possess a broad range of pharmacological and industrial applications. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in terpenoid biosynthesis, structural classification, and therapeutic applications. It also discusses emerging approaches for enhancing large-scale production, improving functional efficacy, and overcoming pharmacokinetic limitations. Attention is given to terpenoids currently undergoing clinical evaluation, along with their progress toward commercial development. Despite substantial preclinical evidence supporting their therapeutic potential, the clinical translation of many terpenoids remains limited. Key challenges include poor aqueous solubility, low permeability, slow dissolution, and high lipophilicity, which can collectively restrict systemic bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy. Moreover, only a relatively small proportion of biologically active terpenoids have progressed to advanced stages of clinical development, highlighting a considerable gap between experimental findings and clinical application. This review integrates current knowledge of terpenoid biosynthesis, biological activities, production strategies, and translational development while highlighting sustainable and scientifically driven approaches that may facilitate their future therapeutic and commercial utilization.

RevDate: 2026-10-28
CmpDate: 2026-10-27

Dildabayeva D, Samarkhanova D, L Lezina (2026)

Beyond Homologous Recombination: Functional Modules of Olaparib Resistance Revealed by CRISPR Screens.

International journal of molecular sciences, 27(20):.

Clinical use of PARP inhibitors (PARPi), including olaparib, has improved outcomes for patients with BRCA1/2-mutant and homologous recombination (HR)-deficient tumors. However, acquired resistance remains a major limitation to their efficacy. CRISPR-Cas9 screening approaches have been developed to identify genetic drivers of PARPi resistance. However, differences in experimental conditions, library coverage, and selection design complicate comparisons across studies. In this review, we present a harmonized reanalysis of CRISPR knockout olaparib resistance screens to identify recurrent resistance-associated genes and pathways. Datasets with raw data were collected from the BioGRID ORCS database. Resistance hits identified in at least two screens were subjected to Reactome pathway-enrichment analysis and organized into functional modules. Using this approach, we identified eight modules: DNA-damage repair and replication stress; cell-cycle regulation; chromatin remodeling and histone modification; post-translational regulation; mitochondrial function; TGF-β and mTOR signaling; RNA processing and nucleocytoplasmic transport; and emerging adaptive mechanisms. Importantly, mitochondrial function genes were observed as recurrent hits, but their relation to olaparib resistance is underinvestigated. Our integrative analysis suggests that PARPi resistance is a complex, adaptive phenotype shaped by recurrent but context-dependent vulnerabilities across multiple cellular programs. This framework prioritizes candidate resistance drivers for validation and highlights directions for the design of combination therapies aimed at overcoming PARPi resistance.

RevDate: 2026-10-28
CmpDate: 2026-10-27

Gao Y, Dong H, Fang Z, et al (2026)

Regulatory Pathways of Endophytic Fungi in Promoting Flavonoid Biosynthesis in Medicinal Plants.

Microorganisms, 14(10):.

Endophytic fungi form complex symbiotic associations with medicinal plants via long-term coevolution. Such cross-kingdom interactions substantially modulate flavonoid biosynthesis in host plants. This review dissects the mechanisms through which endophytic fungi elevate flavonoid accumulation in medicinal plants. We first summarize symbiotic and growth-promoting relationships between endophytic fungi and medicinal plants, outlining four core synergistic functions: nutrient supply, phytohormone homeostasis, stress resistance enhancement, and secondary metabolism activation. We then elaborate on three primary regulatory patterns underlying endophyte-modulated flavonoid biosynthesis, including direct activation of plant flavonoid biosynthetic pathways, indirect regulation via stress mitigation and host metabolic reprogramming, and autonomous flavonoid production by endophytic fungi. Notably, most current evidence for autonomous flavonoid biosynthesis by endophytic fungi is derived from axenic cultures, whereas its occurrence and quantitative contribution within colonized plant tissues remain to be established. We further discuss state-of-the-art technologies for untangling plant-fungus symbiotic interactions, including multi-omics integration, spatial metabolomics, single-cell sequencing, synthetic microbial consortia, and CRISPR-Cas genome editing. Lastly, we propose future research perspectives covering green cultivation of medicinal plants, targeted improvement of medicinal quality, and efficient microbial biosynthesis of flavonoids.

RevDate: 2026-10-28
CmpDate: 2026-10-27

Aristimuño Ficoseco CM, Carrasco N, Montemurro M, et al (2026)

Genomic Characterization of the Probiotic Limosilactobacillus mucosae CRL2069 Isolated from Feedlot Cattle Feces.

Microorganisms, 14(10):.

Limosilactobacillus mucosae (L.) CRL2069, isolated from feedlot cattle feces, has previously exhibited high performance when used as a probiotic in animals. To investigate the genetic bases underlying its probiotic potential, complete genome sequencing and comparative analyses were performed. The CRL2069 genome showed a total length of 1.93 Mb, with an average GC content of 46.76%. No evidence of plasmid sequences was detected, while CRISPR-Cas elements, as well as twelve genomic islands, were identified in the genome. Pan-genomic and clustering analysis among L. mucosae strains showed a lack of partitioning according to their isolation origin, revealing a niche specialization. CRL2069 genes related to stress and those conferring probiotic character were identified. In addition, the absence of acquired antimicrobial resistance genes and virulence determinants evidenced the safety of this strain. Genomic determinants conferring the ability to metabolize a diverse array of carbohydrates, particularly those present in cattle feed, were annotated. Phenotypic analysis supported the genomic prediction and demonstrated the capacity of CRL2069 to metabolize 39 out of 95 carbon sources tested and to produce folate. Based on the results obtained, L. mucosae CRL2069 evaluated in this study is confirmed to be a promising candidate for use as a probiotic in cattle.

RevDate: 2026-10-29
CmpDate: 2026-10-29

Qin C, Jiang S, Xiao F, et al (2026)

DAZL-targeted inducible kill switches enable efficient ablation of chicken primordial germ cells.

Poultry science, 105(11):107459.

Competition from endogenous primordial germ cells (PGCs) in recipient embryos limits the generation of fully donor-derived offspring in avian surrogate-host systems. An inducible and germline-restricted ablation strategy is therefore needed to create sterile recipients without compromising somatic development. Using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated homology-directed repair, we inserted three inducible suicide-gene cassettes (iCaspase9, RapaCasp9, and CD) into the endogenous DAZL locus of chicken PGCs. All knock-in lines showed stable reporter expression and retained typical PGC morphology. Comparative functional analyses identified iCaspase9 activated by AP20187 as the most sensitive and specific ablation system, achieving near-complete killing at nanomolar concentrations without detectable toxicity in control cells. RapaCasp9 induced with rapamycin also ablated engineered PGCs efficiently, but rapamycin caused marked non-specific growth inhibition in control cells. Replacing rapamycin with the synthetic A/C heterodimerizer AP21967 largely eliminated this off-target toxicity while preserving rapid and robust killing. By contrast, yeast-derived CD variants did not substantially improve 5-fluorocytosine sensitivity in chicken PGCs. DAZL-restricted iCaspase9/AP20187 and the optimized RapaCasp9/AP21967 system provide efficient inducible kill switches for chicken PGCs in vitro. These platforms establish a practical genetic toolkit for generating sterile surrogate hosts to support avian genome editing, germline replacement, and Sire Dam Surrogate breeding.

RevDate: 2026-10-29
CmpDate: 2026-10-29

Farooq M, Han D, Zhang L, et al (2026)

Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats‑associated protein 9 (CRISPR-Cas9) based genome editing in avian primordial germ cells: Comparative technologies, translational applications, and regulatory challenges.

Poultry science, 105(11):107469.

Primordial germ cells (PGCs) are a unique platform for heritable gene editing in avian species, because they allow easy isolation, culture, and can then be reintroduced into the host. CRISPR/Cas9 technologies have advanced avian genome editing by enabling targeted editing of genes and traits for production, health, reproduction, and welfare. This review critically evaluates genome-editing tools in avian PGCs, including CRISPR/Cas9, transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs), base editing, and prime editing. Germline transmission efficiency, suitability, precision, and heritability are compared. Efficiency, cytotoxicity, and translational feasibility of delivery strategies, including viral vectors, electroporation and the use of ribonucleoproteins are assessed. Applications of these techniques in chickens are for muscle growth via myostatin (MSTN) gene disruption, viral resistance via editing of the sodium/hydrogen exchanger 1 (NHE1) gene, and control of male and female ratios through modification of sex determination genes. Additionally, applications in biopharmaceutical protein production and animal biodiversity conservation are also explored. Despite advances, some limitations remain, including low efficiency of homology-directed repair, off-target effects, mosaicism, and variability in transmission through the germ line. Current evidence demonstrates a significant lack of germline validation and scalability creating barriers to translate this potential into commercial avian production, especially, poultry breeding. Regulatory frameworks and their implications for food and commercialization are also discussed. Future research should prioritize precision editing, scalable delivery systems, and regulatory alignment to enable practical, ethical, and responsible implementation.

RevDate: 2026-10-29
CmpDate: 2026-10-29

Roman G, Lauritzen KH, Smolkova B, et al (2026)

From Design to Single-Cell Cloning: A Complete RNP-Based CRISPR-Cas9 Protocol for Precision Gene Correction in Human iPSCs.

Stem cell reviews and reports, 22(8):3790-3816.

Precise genome editing of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) using clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats and CRISPR-associated protein 9 (CRISPR-Cas9) has opened unprecedented avenues for advancements in regenerative medicine and disease modelling. However, the establishment of isogenic single-cell-derived iPSC populations, particularly upon CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing modifications, is one of the major challenges still associated with these advanced methodologies relying on low-rate editing events and requiring defined clonogenicity. In response, we have developed a systematic, comprehensive and efficient workflow combining generation, genotyping and expansion of high-quality monoclonal iPSC lines following CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing. In particular, the protocol incorporates optimized single-cell cloning procedures for two commercially available dispensing platforms, one based on microfluidic imaging and the other on impedance technology, together with rapid droplet digital PCR (ddPCR)-based screening of non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) and homology-directed repair (HDR) outcomes. By combining gentle single-cell handling with advanced genotyping methodologies, the protocol enables efficient early assessment of editing outcomes before commitment to labour-intensive clonal derivation, thereby accelerating project timelines, minimising cell stress and loss, preserving genetic fidelity and supporting scalability. Coupled with precisely defined culture conditions tailored for post-seeding recovery, these approaches aim to improve iPSC viability and clonal outgrowth, achieving at least 60% in 96-well plate format within 10 days. Importantly, the protocol goes beyond step-by-step experimental instructions by providing comprehensive design strategies, decision-making criteria, and practical advice for avoiding and addressing the common pitfalls and unintended consequences of these advanced methods. Collectively, this integrated end-to-end approach provides a robust and high-throughput framework for the reliable production of monoclonal genome-edited iPSCs, thereby advancing translational research and the development of iPSC-based regenerative therapies and disease models.

RevDate: 2026-10-29
CmpDate: 2026-10-29

Manjunatha Reddy GB, Vignesh M, Megha NV, et al (2027)

Rapid point-of-care lateral flow assay for differentiation of capripoxviruses using RPA-CRISPR-Cas12a.

Journal of virological methods, 347:115465.

The Capripoxviruses (CaPVs) are highly contagious viruses that includes sheeppox virus, goatpox virus, and lumpy skin disease virus infecting sheep, goats, and cattle respectively resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. This study presents a diagnostic tool based on recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) assisted with CRISPR-Cas12a platform coupled with a lateral flow assay (LFA) that facilitate timely detection and differentiation of Capripox viruses, and support effective surveillance programs. The assay operates through the cleavage of a dual labelled oligonucleotide reporter molecule (Biotin-Fam), generating a detectable signal. The results can be interpreted either using a fluorescence-based detection system or through a lateral flow assay (LFA), where gold nanoparticles conjugated with anti-FAM antibodies enable visual signal detection. Under optimized assay conditions (50 nM LbCas12a and 1 µM reporter probe with a reaction time of 25 min), the CRISPR-Cas12a platform along with RPA (39°C for 20 min) substantially enhanced analytical sensitivity, enabling reliable detection of as few as 10 copies/µL of viral DNA. The specificity of the assay was rigorously evaluated using individual targets, mixed-template samples, and 90 clinical specimens, demonstrating complete species-specific discrimination without any detectable cross-reactivity. Collectively, the developed single-gene RPA-CRISPR-Cas12a lateral flow assay (LFA) represents a rapid, highly sensitive, and specific point-of-care diagnostic platform, providing visual readout by the naked eye and offering significant potential for decentralized veterinary diagnostics and field-based disease surveillance.

RevDate: 2026-10-29
CmpDate: 2026-10-29

Jerabek S, Jung C, Kappy M, et al (2026)

Highly efficient base editing at PCSK9 and normal human embryo development.

Nature, 658(8138):1289-1300.

Cas9-based tools enable programmable DNA lesions for studying repair outcomes, gene function and genome correction. In human embryos, Cas9-induced DNA double-stranded breaks are genotoxic, causing frequent aneuploidy and large deletions[1,2]. Here, we evaluate DNA repair outcomes at nicks and mismatches introduced by base editors at the PCSK9 and HBG loci in human embryos. Delivering ABE8e(V106W) as a protein at fertilization achieved editing at all PCSK9 alleles, supporting development to the blastocyst stage and the derivation of homozygous edited stem cell lines. No insertions or deletions were detected, although rare on-target chromosome breakages and chromosomal abnormalities occurred. Furthermore, editing at bystander and off-target sites was mosaic, and the introduction of the editor as mRNA caused frequent embryo arrest due to guide-independent deaminase activity. Thus, in contrast to Cas9-induced DNA breaks, base-editor-induced lesions are efficiently repaired. However, undesirable consequences for the genome and development can occur, currently precluding the clinical use of base editing in reproduction.

RevDate: 2026-10-29
CmpDate: 2026-10-29

Jiao Z, Lin L, Tang R, et al (2026)

Histone H2B monoubiquitination drives sexual commitment in malaria parasites.

Nature microbiology, 11(10):2805-2820.

Transmission of malaria parasites to mosquito vectors relies on the successful conversion from asexual blood-stage forms into sexual gametocytes. Protein ubiquitination regulates many cellular processes, including cell differentiation in other eukaryotes, but whether specific ubiquitination machinery mediates Plasmodium sexual conversion is unclear. Here we conduct CRISPR-Cas9 mutagenesis screens to systematically profile Plasmodium yoelii E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes for their impact on parasite development. We demonstrate that an E2 enzyme (Rad6B), and its partner RING-type E3 ligase (Tex1), play determinant roles in gametocytogenesis and transmission to mosquitoes. Deletion of either Rad6B or Tex1 results in severe defects in gametocyte production and oocyst formation. The Rad6B-Tex1 complex catalyses histone H2B monoubiquitination in Plasmodium yoelii and Plasmodium falciparum. H2B monoubiquitination promotes H3K4 tri-methylation occupancy at the promoter region of the gene encoding transcription factor AP2-G, a master regulator of sexual conversion, thereby inducing ap2-g expression and initiating sexual commitment. These findings reveal a key epigenetic mechanism leading to sexual differentiation in both human and rodent malaria parasites, providing potential targets for transmission-blocking interventions.

RevDate: 2026-10-29
CmpDate: 2026-10-29

Maire A, Ortelli M, Tkacz E, et al (2026)

In vivo CRISPRi screens reveal Escherichia coli functional adaptations in the mouse gut.

Nature microbiology, 11(10):2911-2924.

Escherichia coli exhibits remarkable genetic diversity that enables it to adapt to the intestinal environment. Here we establish an in vivo CRISPR interference platform that leverages bacterial gene fitness as a high-resolution functional reporter of E. coli adaptations within mice harbouring a defined minimal microbial community (OligoMM12). The screen revealed that diet profoundly shapes the metabolic landscape of E. coli and the essential gene profile identified cross-feeding interactions. Comparison between a laboratory strain (MG1655), a uropathogenic strain (CFT073) and an adherent-invasive E. coli (AIEC LF82) identified distinct genetic requirements for intestinal colonization, highlighting divergent motility, stress response and respiration strategies. In a host inflammatory environment, we found that AIEC LF82 preferably colonized the small intestine with a mobile genetic element, Gally prophage, playing an important role in modulating fitness. These findings provide a high-resolution genetic atlas of E. coli's functional adaptation and demonstrate the utility of functional genomics to probe the gut environment itself.

RevDate: 2026-10-29
CmpDate: 2026-10-29

Cohen Yaron K, Socol Y, Yedidi N, et al (2026)

Dual roles of host N-glycosylation in enteropathogenic Escherichia coli infection.

Cell reports, 45(10):118043.

Host factors determine pathogen tropism but knowledge of host genes facilitating enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) infection is limited. To identify host determinants required for infection by EPEC, we performed two independent genome-scale CRISPR-Cas9 screens. Both converged on host N-glycosylation as a critical requirement for infection. Genetic or pharmacological inhibition of N-glycan maturation revealed that N-glycosylation promotes infection through two distinct pathways. First, N-linked poly-N-acetyllactosamine glycans serve as receptors for the major EPEC adhesin, the bundle-forming pilus (BFP). Second, perturbation of N-glycosylation compromises host membrane structure, resulting in reduced type III secretion system activity, independently of host cell attachment. Using epithelial monolayers derived from human colon and jejunum organoids, we further show that EPEC attachment inversely correlates with terminal mannose exposure, suggesting glycan composition may be involved in determining intestinal tropism. Together, these findings establish host N-glycan maturation as a key host pathway exploited during enteric infection.

RevDate: 2026-10-29
CmpDate: 2026-10-29

Ma W, Liu B, Gao J, et al (2026)

Genome-wide CRISPR screening identified hemojuvelin as a non-neuronal receptor for the botulinum neurotoxin serotypes A and C.

Cell reports, 45(10):118106.

Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) enter cells primarily through neuronal receptors and gangliosides. However, the mechanism that enables their specific accumulation at neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) remains poorly understood. In this study, a genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 screen identifies hemojuvelin (HJV), a membrane protein abundant in skeletal muscle, as a non-neuronal receptor for BoNT/A and BoNT/C. Knockout and rescue experiments show that HJV mediates toxin binding by a direct interaction between its C-terminal region (residues 155-393) and the toxin WY loop within the receptor-binding domain (HCR). In mice, HJV knockout markedly reduces toxin enrichment on the sarcolemma and significantly attenuates toxin sensitivity such as digital paralysis and lethality. Thus, HJV captures these toxins on the muscle sarcolemma, establishing a critical prerequisite for efficient recognition and internalization by neuronal receptors at NMJs. These findings further refine the entry mechanism of BoNTs in vivo and offer actionable insights for treating BoNT intoxication and for optimizing their clinical applications.

RevDate: 2026-10-29
CmpDate: 2026-10-29

D'Attilia C, Bonarrigo M, Tarkowská D, et al (2026)

CRISPR-Cas9 knockout of IBH1 fine-tunes brassinosteroid metabolism and modulates plant architecture and grain traits in durum wheat.

Plant physiology and biochemistry : PPB, 239:111831.

Brassinosteroids (BRs) are essential steroidal plant hormones that regulate cell elongation, vascular differentiation and reproductive development, thereby shaping plant architecture and grain yield. Fine-tuning BR signalling, rather than altering hormone accumulation, has been proposed as a potential strategy to regulate plant development. Here we investigated the role of IBH1 transcription factor, a negative regulator within the ILI1/PRE1-IBH1 module controlling BR-mediated cell elongation in durum wheat (Triticum turgidum ssp. durum), using a CRISPR-Cas9-mediated knockout approach. IBH1 loss of function was associated with transcriptional changes consistent with enhanced BR signalling, including the coordinated upregulation of key signalling components (BRI1 and BZR1) and downstream regulators (ILI1 and PRE1). Metabolic profiling revealed selective remodelling of BR biosynthesis, characterized by differential accumulation of specific pathway intermediates rather than a general increase in BR content. Phenotypic analyses showed that TdIBH1 mutants exhibited increased plant height, internode elongation, leaf inclination, grain size, and thousand grain weight, while no significant differences in fertility were detected. These findings support a role for TdIBH1 as a conserved negative regulator of BR-mediated growth in durum wheat and suggest that the manipulation of the ILI1/PRE1-IBH1 module may provide a potential strategy to modulate plant architecture and grain-related traits in cereal crops.

RevDate: 2026-10-29
CmpDate: 2026-10-29

Das M, Banerjee D, Hossain A, et al (2026)

Quantifying the impact of genetic mutations on enhancer dynamics.

Cell reports, 45(10):118131.

Transcriptional regulation is mediated by enhancers, yet how genetic perturbations alter enhancer activity and gene expression remains unclear. We develop UDI-UMI-STARR-seq, integrating dual indexes and unique molecular identifiers, and combine it with RNA-seq to profile perturbation-associated changes in enhancer activity and gene expression. We apply this approach to 253,632 fragments representing 46,142 cell type-specific candidate enhancers and assess the impact of CRISPR/Cas9-mediated deletion of six transcription factors (ATF2, CTCF, FOXA1, LEF1, TCF7L2, and SCRT1). We identify responsive fragments that are repressed or induced and enriched for p53 family motifs. Enhancer-gene mapping reveals associations between responsive fragments and gene expression changes, including Wnt/p53 targets after ATF2 or LEF1 depletion. A deep learning model recapitulates enhancer grammar, including cooperative motif syntax and flanking sequence context. Applying this framework to 16p12.1 deletion identifies responsive fragments associated with genes involved in neuronal function, providing a scalable readout of enhancer dynamics across genetic perturbations.

RevDate: 2026-10-26
CmpDate: 2026-10-24

Ono S, Ono M, Brettschneider R, et al (2026)

Reconstructing tissue culture to improve Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of maize.

The Plant journal : for cell and molecular biology, 128(2):.

The ability to insert, delete, or modify genetic information is crucial for mechanistic studies and biotechnological applications. However, efficient genetic transformation remains a major bottleneck for research in maize and many other crops. Here, we report an optimized Agrobacterium-mediated transformation platform based on systematic reconstruction of tissue culture handling in the maize inbred line A188. Refinement of callus induction, selection, and regeneration substantially improved recovery of transgenic plantlets. To distinguish independent T-DNA insertion events, we developed TAFLP (T-DNA amplified fragment length polymorphism), a simple and inexpensive assay that amplifies T-DNA flanking sequences and can be performed using standard laboratory equipment. Our enhanced transformation pipeline was also applicable to the inbred line B104 as well as to hygromycin and G418 selection systems, demonstrating broad utility of our method. We validated the platform for CRISPR/Cas9 mutagenesis and reporter-line generation. Using this approach, we isolated new loss-of-function alleles of the maize-specific MAC1 (MULTIPE ARCHESPORIAL CELLS 1) and F-box protein encoding ACOZ1 (ABNORMAL CHROMOSOME ORGANIZATION IN ZYGOTENE 1), a homolog of the Arabidopsis RMF1/2 (REDUCED MALE FERTILITY 1/2) and rice ZYGO1 (ZYGOTENE 1). The concomitant generation of reporter lines for ACOZ1 and the nuclear lamin-like proteins NCH1 (NMCP/CROWN HOMOLOG1) and NCH2, as well as SUN1 (SUN DOMAIN PROTEIN 1) revealed that the function of this F-box protein class in releasing the somatic constraints of chromosome organization for meiotic recombination is highly conserved in flowering plants.

RevDate: 2026-10-27
CmpDate: 2026-10-24

Li Q, Zeng Z, Zhao Y, et al (2026)

TaqW-6BL, a novel gene positively regulates grain WE-AX content in wheat.

TAG. Theoretical and applied genetics. Theoretische und angewandte Genetik, 139(11):.

The TaqW-6BL gene, which encodes a TAXI-type inhibitor, influences the water-extractable arabinoxylan content in wheat grains. Water-extractable arabinoxylans (WE-AX) are major dietary fiber components and play a crucial role in wheat end-use quality, especially its nutritional quality. In this study, TaqW-6BL was cloned from parental varieties of a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population, in which a missense mutation (+ 296 bp, T/C) was detected and found to cause a methionine (Met) to threonine (Thr) substitution. Overexpression of TaqW-6BL positively regulated grain WE-AX content, thousand kernel weight (TKW) and mean grain perimeter (MP), with increases of 30.80%, 14.59% and 14.53%, respectively. Conversely, CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of TaqW-6BL led to significant decreases in WE-AX content, TKW and MP. Cytological observations revealed that the aleurone layer of overexpression lines partially proliferated into two layers, whereas knockout lines showed disordered cell arrangement and abnormal morphology. Subcellular localization analysis confirmed that TaqW-6BL protein localizes in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The relative expression level and WE-AX content of the favorable haplotype (TaqW-6BL[Avocet]) were significantly higher than those of the unfavorable haplotype (TaqW-6BL[Chilero]) at 14 days and 21 days after flowering (DAF) (P < 0.01). Meanwhile, we developed a functional cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence (CAPS) marker CAPS-6B-296. The wheat varieties with favorable haplotype TaqW-6BL[Avocet] accounted for 68% of 160 wheat varieties. Therefore, our findings provide a valuable gene and a reliable functional marker for nutritional quality breeding in wheat.

RevDate: 2026-10-25
CmpDate: 2026-10-25

Hargadon KM, Bushhouse DZ, Johnson CE, et al (2027)

Generation of Functional Gene Knockout Melanoma Cell Lines by CRISPR-Cas9 Gene Editing.

Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.), 3089:25-46.

Recent advances in the treatment of metastatic melanoma have emerged only from advances in our understanding of melanoma development and progression at the cellular and molecular level. Despite the impact that such advances have made on the clinical management of this cancer over the last decade, additional insights into factors that promote melanoma progression and therapeutic resistance are needed to combat this disease. CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology is a powerful tool for studying gene function in a timely and cost-effective manner, enabling the manipulation of specific DNA sequences via a targeted approach. Herein, we describe a protocol for generating functional gene knockouts in melanoma cell lines by CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, and we present an example application of this protocol for the successful knockout of the Foxc2 transcription factor-encoding gene in the B16-F1 murine melanoma cell line.

RevDate: 2026-10-25
CmpDate: 2026-10-25

Khaskheli MA, Raza A, Jueping S, et al (2026)

Revolutionizing the tomato cultivation: advances and frontiers in virus-resistant tomato breeding.

Functional plant biology : FPB, 53(11):.

Plant viruses are major pathogens that significantly reduce the quality and yield of tomato crops. The most influential viruses belong to the genera Crinivirus, Begomovirus, Tobamovirus, and Potyvirus. Tomato breeders have successfully incorporated virus-resistance genes, such as Ty, Sw, Tm, and Pot 1, from wild germplasms into cultivated varieties. However, the challenge remains that most resistance genes confer only qualitative resistance, making them vulnerable to new viruses, recombination, and mixed infections. To our knowledge, this review is the first to systematically compare the synergy and complementarity among three antiviral breeding strategies-conventional R-gene pyramiding (e.g. Ty, Sw, Tm), RNA interference (RNAi)-based transgenics, and CRISPR/Cas genome editing-in tomato. We also innovatively incorporate the emerging genus Amalgavirus into the antiviral framework and propose targeted countermeasures against its escape mechanisms, including synthetic NLR decoys and Cas13-mediated transcriptional degradation. Using the three breeding methodologies, we concluded by outlining the difficulties and offering recommendations for future improvements in tomato antiviral breeding.

RevDate: 2026-10-26
CmpDate: 2026-10-26

Iqbal S, Tariq K, Elatafi E, et al (2026)

Jasmonate-Induced Metabolic Reprogramming Enhances Fruit Quality, Bioactive Compounds, and Stress Tolerance.

Physiologia plantarum, 178(6):.

Jasmonates (JAs), including jasmonic acid (JA), methyl jasmonate (MeJA), jasmonoyl-isoleucine (JA-Ile), and cis-jasmone, have emerged as central integrators of plant stress adaptation, developmental regulation, and fruit quality formation in horticultural crops. This review comprehensively summarizes recent advances in JA biosynthesis, metabolic conversion, signal perception, and downstream regulatory networks governing abiotic stress resilience and quality-associated traits. We highlight the coordinated chloroplast-peroxisome biosynthetic pathway leading to the formation of bioactive jasmonates and discuss the molecular basis of JA signaling mediated through the SCF^COI1-JAZ co-receptor complex and key transcriptional regulators, including MYC, MYB, NAC, ERF, WRKY, and bHLH families. Emerging evidence demonstrates that JA signaling orchestrates reactive oxygen species (ROS) homeostasis, antioxidant defense, osmotic adjustment, secondary metabolism, hormonal crosstalk, and stress-responsive gene expression in response to drought, salinity, temperature extremes, and heavy metal toxicity. Beyond stress adaptation, jasmonates play pivotal roles in regulating fruit ripening, anthocyanin biosynthesis, phenolic accumulation, aroma volatile production, cell wall remodeling, vitamin C metabolism, and postharvest quality maintenance. We also discuss recent progress in multi-omics integration, epigenetic regulation, CRISPR/Cas-based genome editing, systems biology, and precision agriculture approaches that are accelerating understanding and manipulation of JA-mediated pathways in horticultural species. This review provides a mechanistic framework linking JA signaling with metabolic plasticity, stress adaptation, and fruit quality. However, major knowledge gaps remain regarding context-dependent JA responses, hormone crosstalk, metabolic trade-offs, and field-scale validation. Future research should integrate multi-omics, spatial analyses, and standardized field trials to develop precise strategies for improving fruit quality and stress tolerance.

RevDate: 2026-10-26
CmpDate: 2026-10-26

Colin MM, Thaventhiran JED, AE Willis (2026)

Human-relevant disease models to accelerate the development of nucleic acid-based therapies and other advanced therapeutics.

Disease models & mechanisms, 19(10):.

Advanced therapeutics, including programmable nucleic acid-based therapies (NATs), such as small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), CRISPR-Cas 9 editing systems, modified in vitro transcribed messenger RNAs (mRNAs) and Adeno-associated viruses (AAVs), have the potential to transform healthcare. However, while there have been considerable successes, there have also been notable clinical failures in early-stage human trials, which slowed down the progression of these therapeutic platforms. Multiple trials of NATs have been halted or discontinued, or approved products carry black box warnings as unforeseen or underestimated toxicities and poor efficacy have been observed in humans. There are a variety of reasons for failure of NATs, one of which is that many preclinical studies lack disease modelling in a human-relevant manner and, therefore, do not capture disease-specific effects on therapy tolerability and efficacy. This Perspective provides a short overview of why better human disease modelling is required to understand the potential therapeutic liabilities of NATs across modalities.

RevDate: 2026-10-28
CmpDate: 2026-10-26

Bo X, Li J, Huang C, et al (2026)

A Collective CRISPR-Cas12a Biosensing Platform for Effect-Based Screening of Pesticide Residues.

Biosensors, 16(10):.

The simultaneous screening of multicomponent pesticide residues, rather than a single specific compound, remains a critical yet challenging frontier in safety surveillance, largely due to the inherent one-to-one recognition bottleneck in conventional aptamer- or antibody-based biosensors. Herein, we develop a collective CRISPR-Cas12a biosensing platform for effect-based screening of pesticide residues by integrating effect-based enzymatic recognition with PAM-independent CRISPR signal amplification. Rather than employing a dedicated aptamer or antibody for each pesticide, the proposed strategy exploits the inhibitory effects of diverse pesticide residues on alkaline phosphatase (ALP) as a common biochemical response. ALP activity inhibition serves as a common trigger, converting the presence of diverse toxicants into the controlled generation of Cu[+] as a unified biochemical signal via ALP-mediated ascorbic acid production. To transduce this signal into a robust nucleic acid output, we further engineer a CRISPR-Cas12a system that operates completely independent of PAM sequences through click chemistry-mediated covalent ligation of two hairpin fragments. The complete activator strand activated Cas12a trans-cleavage, thereby circumventing the sequence constraints imposed by PAM recognition. The platform exhibits quantitative responses toward TCE, CPF, and Piri, with limits of detection of 22.1 nM, 19.3 nM, and 12.0 nM, respectively. Furthermore, it successfully reports pesticide contamination in a complex real sample matrix, which provides a simple and flexible strategy for preliminary pesticide screening. Importantly, the platform is not intended to convert the collective fluorescence response into the total concentration of diverse pesticide residues; rather, the output reflects the integrated perturbation of the ALP-mediated biochemical pathway under the defined assay conditions. Overall, this work establishes an effect-based collective sensing paradigm that shifts pesticide screening from compound-specific molecular recognition toward integrated biochemical response, providing a flexible strategy for rapid screening and early warning of multicomponent pesticide contamination.

RevDate: 2026-10-28
CmpDate: 2026-10-26

Wang T, Li L, Wang Y, et al (2026)

Integrated Microfluidic CRISPR-Based Diagnostic Device for Rapid Testing of HPVs.

Biosensors, 16(10):.

Screening for high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) is a pivotal strategy for the prevention of invasive cervical cancer, particularly in resource-constrained settings. In this study, we developed a CRISPR-based compact automated real-time detection system, termed Ccard, for rapid testing of HPV16, HPV18, and the internal reference gene GAPDH through a streamlined workflow. A simple room-temperature treatment efficiently releases nucleic acids directly from swab samples, bypassing the need for extraction. The mixture was driven through the channels and loaded into the reaction chambers on the microfluidic chip by a vacuum pump. The lyophilized reagents in the reaction zone of the microfluidic chip were redissolved. The system subsequently performs a single-step RPA-CRISPR/Cas13a reaction, with real-time detection enabled by an Internet of Things device. The assay achieved detection within 30 min, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 5 copies/µL for both HPV16 and HPV18. Validation with clinical samples demonstrated high sensitivity (96.8% for HPV16 and 100% for HPV18) and 100% specificity. These results highlight the reliability, precision, and strong potential of the Ccard system for rapid testing of HR-HPVs.

RevDate: 2026-10-28
CmpDate: 2026-10-26

Huo S, Zhu Y, Ji C, et al (2026)

Development of a One-Pot MIRA-CRISPR/Cas12b Fluorescence Biosensing Platform for Rapid Detection of Brucella canis.

Biosensors, 16(10):.

Brucellosis is an important zoonotic disease worldwide, and Brucella canis (B. canis) is an emerging concern in companion animal health. Rapid and reliable detection of B. canis in dogs is essential for disease control. Herein, we developed a one-pot MIRA CRISPR/Cas12b fluorescence biosensing platform targeting the conserved omp31 gene. The platform integrates MIRA mediated isothermal amplification with CRISPR/Cas12b-based target recognition and collateral cleavage. After optimization, the assay achieved a detection limit of 5 copies/reaction within 20 min, comparable to qPCR. No cross reactivity was observed with seven common canine pathogens. Among 128 clinical blood samples, the biosensor showed complete agreement with qPCR, achieving 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity. These findings demonstrate that the biosensor provides a rapid, sensitive, and specific approach for B. canis detection, with potential for decentralized veterinary testing through its endpoint visual fluorescence readout and applications in One Health surveillance.

RevDate: 2026-10-29
CmpDate: 2026-10-26

Fajariani W, Hungsaprug K, Chaidee A, et al (2026)

Promoter editing of OsGTL1 improves instantaneous water use efficiency via targeted stomatal reduction in rice.

Plant cell reports, 45(11):.

OsGTL1 promoter modification decreases stomatal density (SD) and is inherited as a recessive trait compared to the wild type. Lower SD increases water use efficiency but lowers yield components. GT2-LIKE1 (GTL1) is a predicted drought-responsive gene in rice involved in stomatal development, yet its regulatory relationship with putative targets like Stomatal Density and Distribution 1 remains complex. Here, we employed CRISPR/Cas-based editing to alter GTL1 expression by designing a tRNA-based CRISPR to mutagenize its promoter, targeting ~ 1,500 bp 5' of the transcription start site with 7 gRNAs. Two promoter-edited lines with decreased stomatal density were selected and tested for inheritance by crossing with wild type and demonstrated to be recessive alleles, which regulated the lower expression of OsGTL1 in the developing leaves, leading to a tendency of OsSDD1 higher expression. Lower OsGTL1 expression did not significantly affect meristemoid formation, but it prevented some guard mother cells from completing symmetrical division to form mature guard cells. Lower stomatal density did not decrease the photosynthesis rate, but increased water use efficiency in the tillering stage under normal conditions and in the reproductive stage under drought stress. However, yield components in the edited lines were lower than in WT under normal conditions, but drought stress at the reproductive stage reduced yield components in the edited lines less than in WT. These findings indicate that altered OsGTL1 expression can affect stomatal development and water-use efficiency, while also revealing a trade-off between water conservation and yield components under different water regimes.

RevDate: 2026-10-28
CmpDate: 2026-10-26

Li H, Liu H, Xu W, et al (2026)

Functional impact of PCSK9 variants on LDL uptake in a knockout hepatic model.

PloS one, 21(10):e0345908.

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is a central regulator of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol metabolism, yet the functional consequences of many clinically observed PCSK9 variants remain unknown. To establish a rigorous system for quantitative variant assessment, we generated a PCSK9 knockout (KO) HepG2 cell line through CRISPR/Cas9-mediated deletion of exons 2-8, effectively removing both the prodomain and catalytic regions required for PCSK9 function. This null background enabled systematic functional mapping of wild-type (WT) PCSK9 and multiple clinically relevant variants representing well-characterized, recurrent, and previously understudied alleles. Functional assays revealed pronounced heterogeneity among variant activities. The classical gain-of-function (GOF) variants D374Y and R496W exhibited robust suppression of LDL uptake, whereas A443T-an infrequently reported and previously uncharacterized variant-demonstrated a loss-of-function (LOF)-like phenotype with significantly enhanced LDL uptake. Additional poorly characterized variants, including V4I, R104C/V114A, and R496W/N425S, displayed varied functional profiles, providing novel mechanistic insights. Surface LDL receptor (LDLR) levels generally correlated with LDL uptake but revealed unique patterns for specific variants. This KO-based rescue system provides a high-resolution framework for mechanistic classification of both established and poorly characterized PCSK9 variants, bridging the gap between genetic discovery and functional interpretation while supporting precision lipid-lowering strategies.

RevDate: 2026-10-28
CmpDate: 2026-10-27

Kumar A, Kanika , Rani S, et al (2026)

Advanced soilless cultivation of medicinal plants: integrating dynamic LED lighting, elicitation, and smart technologies for sustainable biomass and phytochemical production.

Frontiers in plant science, 17:1970412.

Countries with limited water and land resources confront a significant problem due to the growing demand for medicinal plants. These plants are used worldwide to extract and isolate therapeutically important bioactive molecules, known as secondary metabolites. Many medicinal plant species are currently facing significant conservation challenges due to excessive, unregulated harvesting, driven by rapidly growing demand for plant-derived therapies. Soilless farming techniques like hydroponics, aeroponics, and vertical farming offer a sustainable alternative for generating high-quality planting material on a large scale in a considerably shorter period and with less space. Soilless farming revolutionises agriculture and food production, making it particularly well-suited for urban agriculture by reducing maintenance requirements and maximizing crop yields. Soilless farming of numerous medicinal herbs, fruit crops, and vegetables has become increasingly popular in recent years, particularly for its ability to produce large amounts of biomass, high yields, and a wide range of pharmacologically active metabolites. These high-tech systems have significant promise for increased crop yields, cleaner produce, season-independent cultivation, and reduced environmental impact, particularly in water use and disease, compared to traditional soil-based systems. This review article rigorously evaluates recent advancements in soilless agriculture, including LED spectral regulation, nano-elicitation, microbial biostimulants and precursor-feeding strategies, reusable substrates, computational technologies, and CRISPR/Cas-based editing, with respect to their efficacy in generating high-quality plant biomass, improving automation, and optimizing shoot architecture. Implementing soilless farming to produce and synthesize bioactive molecules is expected to be crucial in enhancing sustainability and human well-being.

RevDate: 2026-10-28
CmpDate: 2026-10-28

Delinière A, Boiteux C, Blancfuney C, et al (2026)

In vivo analysis of trafficking and functional impact of hERG pore-domain missense variants in a CRISPR/Cas9-engineered C.elegans model of long QT syndrome.

Heart rhythm, 23(11):e2991-e3002.

BACKGROUND: Loss-of-function variants in KCNH2, which encodes hERG, are responsible for long QT syndrome type 2 (LQT2), a major cause of sudden cardiac death. Most hERG pore-domain missense variants are associated with severe LQT2. However, functional heterogeneity exists among these variants, with a small subset associated with milder phenotypes. Only a limited number of these atypical variants have been functionally characterized. Caenorhabditis elegans expresses UNC-103, a voltage-gated potassium channel orthologous to hERG, with high conservation in sequence and channel biogenesis regulators, supporting its use as an in vivo model to investigate hERG variants.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to develop a C.elegans model for in vivo characterization of hERG pore-domain missense variants.

METHODS: Using CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, we generated fluorescent UNC-103 knockin strains. We established an approach combining fluorescence in vivo imaging to assess channel trafficking efficiency, with behavioral readouts of muscle hyperexcitability to evaluate the integrated functional impact of hERG variants, encompassing defects in trafficking, gating, and potassium permeability.

RESULTS: The model faithfully recapitulated the profiles of G628S and G604S, 2 well-characterized hERG variants associated with severe LQT2. Moreover, it enabled in vivo characterization of G603S, a recently identified atypical pore-domain variant associated with a mild LQT2 phenotype in heterozygous carriers and a severe long QT syndrome in the homozygous state. G603S exhibited a trafficking defect responsible for a partial loss of function.

CONCLUSION: This CRISPR/Cas9-engineered C.elegans model complements in vitro assays and complex transgenic animals, enabling in vivo characterization of hERG pore-domain missense variants.

RevDate: 2026-10-28
CmpDate: 2026-10-28

Li L, An XN, Ruan YT, et al (2026)

CRISPR/Cas9 screening revealed BIRC6-AS1/BIRC6 mediates abiraterone resistance via NHEJ pathway-dependent A20 degradation in prostate cancer.

Oncogene, 45(44):4723-4742.

Abiraterone acetate is a standard-of-care therapy for prostate cancer (PCa). However, resistance frequently emerges, often characterized by the progression to AR-independent phenotypes. Employing a genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 library screening strategy, we identified 523 long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and 2,183 protein-coding genes as potential candidates associated with abiraterone resistance. Notably, a pair of sense-antisense genes, BIRC6-AS1/BIRC6, was identified as a significant contributor to abiraterone resistance, serving as a critical survival factor in AR-independent contexts. BIRC6-AS1 depletion led to a reduction in both the mRNA and protein levels of BIRC6. Moreover, depletion of either BIRC6-AS1 or BIRC6 enhanced the sensitivity of PCa cells to abiraterone in both in vitro and in vivo settings. Further investigation revealed that BIRC6-AS1 stabilized the mRNA of BIRC6 through interaction with ILF2. Suppression of either BIRC6-AS1 or BIRC6 attenuated non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) repair activity, resulting in the disassembly of 53BP1 foci at DNA damage sites and an increased accumulation of DNA damage, thereby exposing a vulnerability in AR-independent resistant cells. Mechanistically, BIRC6 interacted with A20 and facilitated the K48-linked ubiquitination and subsequent degradation of A20 at the K337 residue. Additionally, A20 knockdown effectively reversed the abiraterone sensitivity induced by BIRC6-AS1 depletion. Collectively, our study provides a landscape of lncRNAs and protein-coding genes associated with abiraterone resistance and suggests that targeting the BIRC6-AS1/BIRC6 axis represents a potential therapeutic strategy to eradicate AR-independent resistant tumors in prostate cancer.

RevDate: 2026-10-28
CmpDate: 2026-10-28

Wang Y, Haghighat Naeini A, Kumar N, et al (2026)

High-Throughput Screening of a Lipid Nanoparticle (LNP) Library Identifies Lead Formulations for CRISPR-Cas9 Ribonucleoprotein Delivery and Gene Editing.

ACS applied materials & interfaces, 18(42):57043-57056.

Delivery of CRISPR-Cas9 ribonucleoprotein (RNP) using synthetic materials can bypass the host translational machinery and limit the duration of genomic exposure, minimizing the risk of off-target mutations. Despite their advantages, lipid nanoparticle (LNP) platforms for CRISPR-Cas9 RNP delivery that achieve highly efficient editing at low doses remain limited. In the present study, we developed a library of ionizable lipids (ILs) and corresponding LNPs to enhance the delivery and editing efficiencies of CRISPR-Cas9 RNP complexes. Following comprehensive in vitro screening and formulation optimization, an optimal LNP candidate containing the C12A9 IL (denoted as LNPC12A9) was identified that achieved ∼90% EGFP disruption in HEK293T-EGFP cells at an RNP concentration of 30 nM and ∼60% at 15 nM. The editing performance was consistently observed at an RNP concentration of 15 nM when editing the Gcgr and HPRT1 genes across multiple hepatic cell lines. Moreover, coencapsulation of RNP and a single-stranded oligodeoxynucleotide (ssODN) template for homology-directed repair (HDR) within LNPC12A9 induced an HDR rate of 37.8%. Systemic administration of LNPC12A9 into C57BL/6J mice led to liver tropism and a total hepatic Pcsk9 gene disruption rate of 1.39%. In conclusion, this study provides insights into the construction of an LNP platform to improve the delivery efficiency of CRISPR-Cas9 RNP, thereby facilitating the development of LNPs for safe, precise, and tissue-specific Cas9 RNP-based genome editing therapies.

RevDate: 2026-10-23
CmpDate: 2026-10-23

Chen C, Ma H, Xia H, et al (2026)

Mismatch-Engineered CRISPR Transistors for Ultra-Low-Frequency Single-Nucleotide Variant Detection.

Nano letters, 26(37):12500-12509.

Accurate detection of low-frequency single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) in a high wild-type (WT) background remains challenging. Here, we report a mismatch-engineered CRISPR transistor (MECT) for rapid, amplification-free detection of mutant RNA. MECT integrates a Cas13a-crRNA recognition interface with a graphene field-effect transistor and employs a spaced mismatch crRNA design centered on the mutation site in a nonseed region. It leverages the synergistic effect between natural and engineered mismatches at the mutation site to weaken WT binding while preserving mutant recognition, thereby amplifying the difference in response between mutants and the WT. Using BRAF V600E RNA as a target, MECT generates a mutant response approximately 11.58 times stronger than the WT background, with a detection limit of 3 × 10-18 mol L-1. MECT can also detect mutants as low as 0.0001% against a WT background. A portable MECT-based prototype is validated using cell-derived RNA and clinical samples, supporting decentralized analysis of low-frequency cancer mutations.

RevDate: 2026-10-23
CmpDate: 2026-10-23

Han R, Xiao N, Wu Z, et al (2026)

RPA-CRISPR/Cas12a Assay for ALV-J with Broad-Spectrum Detection and Reduced Residual Amplicon Load.

ACS infectious diseases, 12(10):3408-3418.

Avian leukosis virus subgroup J (ALV-J) is a retrovirus that poses a serious threat to the poultry industry. It is prone to genetic variation, leading to the emergence of multiple epidemic strains, which creates substantial challenges for clinical detection. Although the recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA)-CRISPR/Cas12a rapid detection assay demonstrates high sensitivity and specificity, it lacks broad applicability across multiple viral strains and is susceptible to amplicon contamination. In this study, a mixed crRNA-based CRISPR/Cas12a detection system was established. Sequence analysis predicts its potential to cover most currently circulating ALV-J variant strains. By optimizing the amount of RPA mix and the buffer conditions, a one-tube RPA-CRISPR/Cas12a assay was developed, with the lowest tested concentration giving 9/9 positive reactions determined to be 1 × 100 copies/μL (equivalent to 15 copies/reaction in a 15 μL reaction). To simplify the sample-handling procedure and reduce detection time, a one-pot RPA-CRISPR/Cas12a assay was established by adding heparin sodium, achieving the lowest consistently positive concentration of 1 × 102 copies/μL (1500 copies/reaction). Furthermore, for lateral flow assay (LFA) that requires exposure to the environment, the concentration of amplicons was reduced by restricting RPA amplification and employing an enhanced Cas12a protein while maintaining a lowest tested concentration of 1 × 101 copies/μL (150 copies/reaction). Specificity evaluation revealed no cross-reactivity with nontarget avian viruses, yielding a positive signal only for ALV-J. When applied to clinical samples, the one-tube RPA-CRISPR/Cas12a assay exhibited complete agreement with RT-qPCR in terms of positive detection rates. The multiple CRISPR/Cas12a-RPA assays developed in this study feature broad strain coverage in principle, high accuracy, and low contamination risk, providing practical tools for rapid ALV-J detection across diverse scenarios.

RevDate: 2026-10-26
CmpDate: 2026-10-23

Singha S, Yigit MV, AR Chandrasekaran (2026)

A CRISPR-Cas12a-Responsive DNA Tetrahedron.

Biochemistry, 65(19):2935-2939.

Functionalizing DNA nanostructures for stimuli-responsive reconfiguration has been a key area of development in DNA nanotechnology. Here, we demonstrate programmable control over the structural integrity of a tetrahedral DNA nanostructure using an external DNA stimulus that is modulated through an intermediate CRISPR-Cas12a reaction. We designed toehold-containing DNA tetrahedra that can be disassembled by a DNA or RNA invading strand. Activation of the Cas12a enzyme by double-stranded DNA provides precise control over the disassembly of the DNA tetrahedra by digesting the DNA invading strand but not the RNA, enabling highly responsive and programmable DNA architectures. Further, targeted activation of Cas12a by conserved genomic regions of three bacterial pathogens, namely Listeria monocytogenes, Campylobacter jejuni, and Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli, provides biologically relevant responsiveness and demonstrates the platform's potential for future applications. Our results show that the DNA tetrahedra are observed in the presence of the genomic target but not observed in its absence due to disassembly, demonstrating a highly programmable and responsive molecular level architecture.

RevDate: 2026-10-26
CmpDate: 2026-10-23

Lashkari M, Connell NE, Hanson E, et al (2026)

Programmable Genome Sensing with Visual, Fluorescence, and Glucometer Readings: Cell-Free In Vitro Translation Approach Using RNA Switch-CRISPR.

Biochemistry, 65(19):2972-2985.

Rapid and accessible detection of pathogens through diverse detection modalities remains highly desirable. Most current pathogen detection assays rely on a single detection modality. Here, we have used the same RNA switch-CRISPR platform for detection of multiple pathogenic genomes through three different detection modalities. In this study, the RNA switch is repurposed as a reprogrammable platform for genome detection, enabling three orthogonal signal outputs: glucometer-based, fluorescence, and visual. Target pathogen genomes selectively regulate cell-free in vitro translation of β-galactosidase through the RNA switch, producing several hundred-fold increases in glucose following lactose hydrolysis while simultaneously generating fluorescence and colorimetric signals. The platform is readily reprogrammed to recognize conserved genomic regions from five distinct pathogens, with specificity dictated by CRISPR-Cas12a-mediated processing of a DNA regulator that controls RNA switch activation and initiates the downstream cell-free translation cascade. Glucometer-based, fluorescence, and paper-based colorimetric outputs each enabled selective detection of Salmonella typhi, Salmonella enterica, Listeria monocytogenes, Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC), and Campylobacter jejuni. Fluorescence and colorimetric responses were analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively using image processing and showed strong agreement with glucometer measurements obtained using a handheld glucometer, providing a simple and accessible quantitative readout. The platform was further validated using the complete Listeria monocytogenes genome, achieving a detection sensitivity approaching a single genome copy per microliter. Together, this reprogrammable CRISPR-RNA switch platform enables the same detection setup to be programmed for multiple targets and readouts through three different detection modalities, some of which are well suited for resource-limited environments.

RevDate: 2026-10-25
CmpDate: 2026-10-24

Sidhartha E, Pratama R, Ng ER, et al (2026)

High-Quality Draft Genome Sequence of Endophytic Kluyvera Ascorbata Strain PCL31 Isolated from Piper Crocatum (red betel).

F1000Research, 15:1073.

Endophytic bacteria within medicinal plants are a largely untapped reservoir of bioactive compounds and adaptive genetic traits. Piper crocatum (red betel), a Southeast Asian medicinal herb rich in flavonoids, alkaloids, and phenolics, offers a chemically selective niche for endophytes, yet the genomes of its microbial associates remain poorly characterised. Kluyvera ascorbata occurs as a plant-associated endophyte and an opportunistic human pathogen, and its chromosomal blaKLUA gene is the recognised progenitor of the clinically important CTX-M-2 β-lactamase sublineage. We report a high-quality draft genome of endophytic strain PCL31, isolated from surface-sterilised Piper crocatum tissues collected in Bogor, Indonesia. Whole-genome sequencing used the Oxford Nanopore PromethION platform, with de novo assembly in Flye, polishing in Medaka, and quality assessment by QUAST and BUSCO. The assembly spans 4,978,299 bp across eight contigs (N50 1.45 Mbp; GC content 54.26%; 100% BUSCO completeness, enterobacterales_odb10, n = 440). Species identity was confirmed by digital DNA-DNA hybridisation (dDDH 88.6% against the type strain K. ascorbata ATCC 33433) and average nucleotide identity (ANI 98.6% against reference genome NZ_CP096201.1). Annotation identified 4,579 protein-coding sequences, 22 ribosomal RNA, 88 transfer RNA, and 81 non-coding RNA genes, and no CRISPR/Cas systems. antiSMASH 8.0 predicted four biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs): a 53.8 kb non-ribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS)-metallophore cluster matching the conserved enterobactin locus (MIBiG similarity 0.83), plus three low-similarity clusters (≤ 0.50) of uncertain novelty - a ribosomally synthesised and post-translationally modified peptide (RiPP)-like cluster, a terpene-precursor cluster, and an azole-containing RiPP. CARD-RGI profiling returned one Perfect hit (blaCTX-M-2) and 25 Strict hits, the latter dominated by intrinsic Enterobacteriaceae efflux and target-modification genes; phenotypic confirmation was not performed. This genome provides a resource for bioprospecting secondary metabolites from medicinal-plant endophytes and underscores the value of plant-associated isolates for biosafety and antimicrobial-resistance surveillance in opportunistic pathogens.

RevDate: 2026-10-26
CmpDate: 2026-10-24

Liu L, Bao C, Wang H, et al (2026)

Catalytic Hairpin Assembly-Aided CRISPR/Cas-SERS for Nucleic Acid Detection Enhanced by Multiple Catalytic Amplification.

ACS measurement science au, 6(5):1656-1664.

This study established a surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) detection method based on the catalytic hairpin assembly (CHA) reaction combined with clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats and its associated proteins (CRISPR/Cas), integrated with the guanine-quadruplexes/Hemin (G4/Hemin) catalytic amplification effect, which is available for identifying a typical indicator for genetically modified crops, the 35S promoter from the cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV35S). Target CaMV35S-derived RNA (CaMV35S RNA) triggers the CHA reaction, yielding a double-stranded DNA product (C1/C2) that is recognized by CRISPR RNA (crRNA), thereby activating the trans-cleavage activity of Cas12a. A magnetic bead-based nanoprobe was fabricated by linking the hybridization chain reaction (HCR) product to the magnetic bead. This probe can fold into repeated G4 units under a specific potassium ion concentration to enable a high loading of Hemin, thereby providing strong peroxidase-like catalytic activity for 3,3',5,5'-tetra-methyl-benz-idine (TMB). In a positive trial, the 35S RNA initiates CHA, and the CHA product activates Cas12a, disrupting the HCR products on the magnetic bead probe, preventing the G4 structure formation, accordingly yielding a weak SERS signal from TMB. In contrast, a negative trial fails to activate Cas12a, and the probe retains its nanoenzyme activity, resulting in a strong SERS signal from the produced oxTMB. Owing to the collateral trans-cleavage activity of Cas12a and the high peroxidase-like nanozyme activity of G4/Hemin, this method achieves the highly sensitive SERS detection of genetically modified samples without target gene preamplification.

RevDate: 2026-10-24

Ou Y, Zhang Z, G Liu (2026)

Spatially Resolved Multiplex Detection of Cytokines in Parkinson's Disease Rat Brain via CRISPR/Cas Biosensing.

ACS sensors pii:5457710 [Epub ahead of print].

The ability to accurately quantify localized neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative biomarkers in vivo is critical for enabling the early diagnosis of Parkinson's disease (PD). Here, we demonstrate a strategy for localized neuroinflammation quantification using an implantable glass-fiber-based CRISPR/Cas immunosensor. When interfaced with a portable fluorescence detector, our platform enables the spatially resolved multiplex detection of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and alpha-synuclein (α-syn) in the PD rat brain. The sensor surface was modified with functionalized liquid metal nanoparticles to enable antibody immobilization and long-term in vivo operation. This method demonstrated high specificity, excellent linearity in artificial cerebrospinal fluid (R2 > 0.91), sustained surface stability over 28 days, good biocompatibility with PC12 cells, and selective antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus. Following cannula implantation into the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) of a 6-hydroxydopamine-induced PD rat model, the functionalized glass fiber enabled repeated, minimally invasive biomarker sampling at 6, 12, and 24 h postimplantation. Systemic inflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) triggered marked elevations in TNF-α, IL-6, and α-syn, peaking at 6 h post-LPS. This implantable fiber-based biosensing method offers a promising reliable approach for early PD diagnosis, disease progression tracking, and investigation of neuroimmune interactions in neurodegenerative diseases in a point-of-care scenario.

RevDate: 2026-10-27
CmpDate: 2026-10-27

Gu D, Kim GD, Park M, et al (2026)

Abasic CRISPR RNAs inherently harness fidelity of SpCas9 for genome editing.

Nature chemical biology, 22(11):1741-1752.

CRISPR-Cas9, an RNA-guided immune system, functions specifically in bacteria while controlling autoimmunity. However, its application to genome editing often causes deleterious off-target cleavages. Here, by sequencing CRISPR RNAs (crRNAs), we discovered abasic modifications that naturally suppress off-target self-cleavages from activated Cas9 in Streptococcus pyogenes (SpCas9). Bacteriophage infection induces oxidative stress, preferentially oxidizing the 5' end of crRNAs into abasic modifications. Mechanistically, abasic substitutions at the 5' end reduce off-target effects by limiting base pairing while preserving SpCas9-interacting backbones to maintain on-target efficiency. Abasic extensions at the 5' end reduce off-target effects by sterically constraining SpCas9 but retain on-target activity by avoiding extra base pairs. Moreover, these approaches can be combined (abasic substitution and extension), enhancing SpCas9 fidelity by increasing mismatch intolerance at the protospacer-adjacent motif-distal region and outperforming SpCas9 variants. Biologically inspired, we developed abasic chemical modifications for guide RNAs that improve CRISPR-Cas9 genome-editing specificity, demonstrating potential for in vivo application.

RevDate: 2026-10-27
CmpDate: 2026-10-27

Hao K, Liu Y, Barrett M, et al (2026)

Genetic recording and in situ readout of single-cell signaling memory.

Nature chemical biology, 22(11):1753-1764.

Intensity and duration of biological signals encode a few pathways to direct diverse cellular behaviors, yet quantifying these features in single cells remains difficult. To address this challenge, we developed INSCRIBE, which uses a CRISPR base editor to mutate genomic targets at rates proportional to signaling activity. Edits are recovered at the endpoint through a new ratiometric readout strategy from images of two fluorescence channels. We engineered human cells to record WNT and BMP activity. Following defined exogenous stimulations, INSCRIBE accurately recovered signal intensity in dose-response experiments and exposure duration in time-course experiments. Applying INSCRIBE revealed a persistent memory in the BMP pathway, where progeny of high-responding cells remained more sensitive to subsequent BMP stimulation for up to 3 weeks. Together, our results establish a scalable platform for genetic recording and in situ readout of signaling activity in single cells, advancing quantitative analysis of cell-cell communication during development and disease.

RevDate: 2026-10-27
CmpDate: 2026-10-27

Mojzesova N, Hladikova P, Kozovska Z, et al (2026)

CRISPR/Cas9-edited organoids as a platform for tailored research of colorectal cancer.

Neoplasma, 73(5):319-334.

Colorectal cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers worldwide. Mortality rates and limited therapeutic options justify the development of reliable preclinical research models, as their translational value remains limited. Simple in vitro models do not recapitulate tumor heterogeneity, while in vivo research faces ethical concerns and interspecies differences. Patient-derived organoids offer a physiologically more relevant platform that retains the genetic, epigenetic, and phenotypic characteristics of the original tumor. Tumor-derived organoids enable precise investigation of novel treatments, functional genomics, and modeling of cancer development. Integration with CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing further enables accurate manipulation of specific genes to study carcinogenesis and therapeutic resistance. This review highlights recent advances in the use of organoids for colorectal cancer research and explores the potential of gene-edited organoids to discover the genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying colorectal cancer development, progression, and treatment resistance.

RevDate: 2026-10-27
CmpDate: 2026-10-27

Maham S, Sridharan B, Park JH, et al (2026)

Ultrasound-Mediated CRISPR Delivery and Sonogenetic Modulation for Precision Therapeutics.

Advanced healthcare materials, 15(40):.

The development of CRISPR-Cas9 technology has transformed gene editing with precise mutations in DNA targeted to treat genetic disorders yet various challenges such as immunogenicity, off-target editing, and lack of temporal control after delivery, making it difficult for therapeutic agents to reach deep tissues like brain, and cardiac tissues. Ultrasound has emerged as a promising solution by influencing sonogenetic modulation and delivery of CRISPR tools in deep tissues for targeted gene editing. Sonogenetic editing has revolutionized the technological advancement of CRISPR-editing and among multiple strategies, ultrasound-mediated delivery of CRISPR systems has enabled non-invasive and controlled genome editing through sonoporation, and upregulation of stimuli-responsive genes. Focused ultrasound combined with microbubbles has demonstrated CRISPR delivery to brain tissue with ∼80% higher efficiency than traditional strategies, allowing precise and advanced treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. In cancer applications, ultrasound has enabled complete tumor eradication via sonodynamic therapy, achieving 64% tumor regression via CAR T-cell therapy. Significant advances in gene therapy for cardiovascular diseases, obesity, and related diseases were also demonstrated recently. Collectively, the review elaborates potential of ultrasound-CRISPR technologies as a powerful tool that enables targeted, and image-guided genetic interventions, capable of advancing the outcomes of gene therapy as a widespread clinical practice.

RevDate: 2026-10-27
CmpDate: 2026-10-27

Matsuo T, Honda Y, Chino T, et al (2026)

Sequentially Self-Assembled Supramolecular Nanocomplexes Enable Systemic Cas9 RNP Delivery and In Vivo Tumor Genome Editing.

ACS applied materials & interfaces, 18(40):54618-54635.

In vivo genome editing utilizing Cas9/sgRNA ribonucleoproteins (RNPs) holds substantial therapeutic promise, yet rapid bloodstream clearance and degradation of RNPs have hindered its accumulation within the target site and effective gene editing. Herein, we report a supramolecular ternary complex platform where RNPs are co-assembled with tannic acid (TA) and phenylboronic acid (PBA)-conjugated polymers through sequential self-assembly. This ∼30 nm core-shell structure protects RNPs from enzymatic degradation and dissociates selectively at endosomal pH. Upon intravenous administration in subcutaneous tumor-bearing mice, the ternary complex exhibits prolonged blood circulation and preferential tumor accumulation, achieving 37.2% gene editing at tumor sites compared with only 1.5% for free RNPs. The platform successfully disrupts PLK1 in subcutaneous tumors, accompanied by significant tumor growth suppression. This is further applied to a KRASG13D-mutant tumor model, in which treatment delayed tumor growth. By integrating sequential supramolecular self-assembly with stimuli-responsive cargo release, this strategy presents a promising approach for systemic RNP delivery and tumor genome editing.

RevDate: 2026-10-23
CmpDate: 2026-10-23

Bräuer M, Walker E, Schneider S, et al (2026)

Paving the Way for a Minimal CHO Chassis(?)Exploring the Upper Limits of Megabase-Scale Deletions through DNA Repair Modulation.

ACS synthetic biology, 15(9):3770-3783.

Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells are the predominant mammalian host for therapeutic protein production, yet their large genome contains substantial non-essential DNA that may impose metabolic burden and contribute to process variability. Here, we establish a CRISPR/Cas9-based strategy for megabase-scale genomic deletions in CHO cells, targeting regions from 3 to over 100 megabases (Mb). Clones carrying deletions of up to 50 Mb were isolated, while a candidate deletion junction spanning 130 Mb was detected in the edited pool, demonstrating the potential for large-scale genome engineering in mammalian cells. Importantly, removal of genomic regions with minimal coding content did not impair growth, viability, or monoclonal antibody productivity. Mechanistic analysis revealed rapid deletion formation and a size-dependent shift in DNA repair pathway usage. Transient inhibition of non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) significantly improved deletion efficiency and clone recovery without compromising cell fitness. These findings establish large-scale genome reduction as a feasible and controllable strategy for rational CHO genome streamlining and the development of next-generation biopharmaceutical cell factories.

RevDate: 2026-10-23
CmpDate: 2026-10-23

Zhu W, Liao J, Liu Y, et al (2026)

A Novel, Simple, and Highly Efficient Dual-sgRNA CRISPR/Cas9-Based Editing System in the Filamentous Fungus Fusarium oxysporum.

ACS synthetic biology, 15(9):3676-3685.

Fusarium oxysporum, as one of the most common filamentous fungi, possesses great biosynthetic potential for natural products. However, the lack of efficient genetic tools has hindered functional genome mining and metabolic engineering in this fungus. In this study, a novel highly efficient CRISPR/Cas9-based dual-sgRNA expression editing system for F. oxysporum was successfully developed through construction of a robust plasmid platform pFRCas9-G418 using incorporation of an endogenous histone H2B nuclear localization signal and a 5S rRNA promoter-driven polycistronic tRNA-sgRNA cassette. This system is suitable not only for single-gene editing but also for large-fragment deletion and multiplex gene editing, although the editing efficiency is somewhat lower. First, this new CRISPR/Cas9 system exhibited a high efficiency of 93.75% ± 6.25% for deletion of the Fusarium cyclin C1 (fcc1) gene (∼1 kb), which was usually selected as the target gene responsible for yellow pigment accumulation. Then, knockout of the core NRPS gene sanB (∼19 kb) and knock-in of the strong promoter gpdA in the N-methylsansalvamide (SA) biosynthetic gene cluster (BGC) in strain F. oxysporum R1 using this system, respectively, led to no SA yield and an increase of 26.4% SA titer, confirming its capacity for large gene deletion and gene knock-in. Furthermore, one-step dual-gene knockout of hat1 (histone acetyltransferase gene, ∼1.5 kb) and pacC (pH-responsive transcription factor, ∼2 kb) was first achieved in Fusarium species. This versatile platform provides a powerful tool for editing gene(s) of various sizes in F. oxysporum.

RevDate: 2026-10-23
CmpDate: 2026-10-23

Wo J, Yu H, Yang Y, et al (2026)

Reprogramming Enfumafungin Biosynthesis for High-Titer Production in the Endophytic Fungus Hormonema carpetanum ATCC 74360.

ACS synthetic biology, 15(9):3653-3663.

Enfumafungin is the essential precursor for the FDA-approved antifungal agent Ibrexafungerp, yet its production is hindered by low yields, restrictive solid-state fermentation, and the genetic intractability of its producer strain, Hormonema carpetanum ATCC 74360. Here, we developed a CRISPR/Cas9-mediated platform that halved the genetic iteration cycle to less than 15 days. By rewiring the biosynthetic cluster through promoter engineering, we successfully transitioned production to scalable liquid fermentation, achieving an initial 21.6 mg/L. Then, the mevalonate pathway genes (tHMGR, ERG9, and ERG1) were overexpressed, which successfully boosted the titer to 250.1 mg/L. Following medium optimization, the engineered strain HC07 reached a record-breaking 592.4 mg/L in 250 mL shake flasks, the highest yield achieved via metabolic engineering to date. This study provides a robust microbial platform and a streamlined genetic toolbox, paving the way for the sustainable biomanufacturing of next-generation triterpenoid antifungals.

RevDate: 2026-10-23
CmpDate: 2026-10-23

Li P, Wang H, Fan X, et al (2026)

AI-Guided Engineering of Tunable CcdB Variants for Flexible Selection in Escherichia coli.

ACS synthetic biology, 15(9):3702-3711.

The strong cytotoxicity of wild-type CcdB limits its use as a counter-selection marker, as leaky expression can cause unintended cell death. Here, we report the rational engineering of a tunable CcdB variant with minimal basal toxicity while retaining inducible lethality. Using a structure-aware deep learning-guided strategy, we prioritized mutations predicted to alter CcdB-DNA gyrase binding energetics and experimentally identified variants with reduced basal toxicity and retained inducible killing. Targeted validation identified CcdB_L96P, which significantly reduces basal toxicity while preserving effective killing upon induction. This variant exhibits minimal leakage and robust inducible lethality across multiple Escherichia coli strains without requiring specialized hosts. It enables antibiotic-free CRISPR gRNA plasmid construction with high accuracy and efficient enrichment of correctly assembled clones. In a succinic acid-producing chassis, CcdB_L96P imposes no detectable metabolic burden and supports effective removal of residual cells using low concentrations of anhydrotetracycline. Together, this work provides a generalizable protein-level strategy for tuning toxin activity in synthetic biology.

RevDate: 2026-10-23
CmpDate: 2026-10-23

Chai H, Ye W, You H, et al (2026)

Highly Sensitive Electrochemical Biosensing Strategy Based on Multiple CRISPR/Cas12a Trans-Cleavage Units.

Analytical chemistry, 98(39):28638-28645.

This study presents the assembly of multiple CRISPR/Cas12a units by target-induced hybridization chain reaction (HCR), which is capable of highly sensitive electrochemical detection of target miRNA. The confinement effect of the HCR/Cas12a system is demonstrated, which shows significantly improved cleavage compared with the single Cas12a unit. The tetrahedral DNA nanostructure on the surface of the electrode supports the substrate for cleavage, which possesses the merits of excellent reactivity and accessibility. Because of the dual signal amplification, a low limit of detection down to 2.1 aM is achieved. This method also exhibits excellent specificity, storage stability, and accuracy, indicating its value for miRNA sensing in real biological samples and related clinical applications.

RevDate: 2026-10-23
CmpDate: 2026-10-23

Zhao W, Luan X, Long W, et al (2026)

Cascade-Amplified Microfluidic Detection of Tumor Biomarkers via Metal-DNA Nanospheres Activating CRISPR-Cas12a Assay.

Analytical chemistry, 98(39):28932-28940.

The development of ultrasensitive protein detection platforms is pivotal for early cancer diagnosis, yet existing methods are often constrained by inefficient "protein-to-signal" conversion and complex instrumentation. While CRISPR-Cas-based biosensors offer higher sensitivity for nucleic acids, their application in protein analysis is fundamentally limited by the low nucleic acid loading capacity and tedious functionalization of traditional inorganic signal carriers such as gold nanoparticles and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). Herein, we report a highly efficient signal-transduction strategy utilizing Fe-coordinated DNA nanospheres (FDNSs)─a programmable, metal-nucleic acid assembly─as a high-capacity DNA reservoir for amplified biomarker sensing. Unlike conventional surface-modified inorganic nanoparticles, the solid-core FDNSs achieve an unprecedented DNA loading density and exhibit specific stimulus-responsive degradation. In this FACC (FDNS-activated CRISPR chip) platform, the recognition of tumor biomarkers triggers the rapid collapse of FDNSs, releasing a massive flux of barcode DNA that subsequently activates the CRISPR-Cas12a system within a microfluidic device. This dual-amplification architecture enables the ultrasensitive quantification of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) with detection limits of 0.028 fg/mL and 0.0265 fg/mL, respectively. By replacing complex inorganic carriers with this programmable DNA assembly, our platform simplifies the sensing workflow and significantly enhances sensitivity, providing a robust and portable solution for cancer screening in resource-limited settings.

RevDate: 2026-10-23
CmpDate: 2026-10-23

Li F, Han R, Yao R, et al (2026)

DNA Fragment Fusion-Triggered Label-Free Detection of Listeria monocytogenes Subtypes via Fusion RAA and Hybrid Split G-Quadruplex.

Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, 74(38):30407-30417.

Bacterial subtype detection using multiplex amplification with multiple distinguishable labels is complex and costly, whereas recombinant DNA technology via fragment fusion provides a simpler, cheaper alternative. Here, we propose a label-free method for Listeria monocytogenes subtype detection based on a hybrid split G-quadruplex (G4) and fusion recombinase-aided amplification (RAA)-cascaded CRISPR/Cas13a (HGFRC) platform. Fusion RAA co-amplified species-specific and clonal complex (CC)-specific targets into 535 bp fusion products, which activated T7 transcription and Cas13a trans-cleavage activity. Activated Cas13a cleaved the RNA linker, disrupting G4 assembly and reducing fluorescence to generate a signal-off response. This design eliminated labeled probes, enabling single-signal detection. The assay achieved a sensitivity of 1.0 × 101 CFU/mL within 45 min, with good specificity and sample suitability. Overall, this study provides a label-free, sensitive, and specific method for detecting L. monocytogenes CC5, offering new insights for bacterial subtype biosensing.

RevDate: 2026-10-23
CmpDate: 2026-10-23

Zhang X, Qiu M, Huang J, et al (2026)

Machine Learning-Assisted Multiplexed and Ultrasensitive Biosensing of Pathogenic Bacteria based on a TtAgo-Powered Autocatalytic Nucleic Acid Circuit and Encoded SERS Tags.

Analytical chemistry, 98(37):27495-27509.

Programmable nucleases have obtained widespread application in the field of pathogen detection, yet they face considerable challenges in multiplex detection. As a sister technology to CRISPR/Cas systems, Argonaute proteins (Ago) possess programmability, sequence specificity, and multi-turnover capability, rendering them promising candidates for next-generation multiplex detection technologies. Herein, a novel machine learning-assisted amplification-free and multiple SERS biosensing platform based on an Ago-driven autocatalytic nucleic acid circuit (SAANC) was developed for the multiplexed detection of pathogenic bacteria. The SAANC platform utilized the cross-catalytic activity of TtAgo to construct an autocatalytic nucleic acid circuit, enabling continuous reactions without pre-amplification and achieving autocatalytic signal amplification. Meanwhile, by precisely modulating the density of reporter DNA on the surface of silver@Raman reporter@gold nanoparticles (Ag@Ra@Au NPs), both cleavage efficiency and Raman response were significantly enhanced. This integrated approach significantly enhanced reaction efficiency, achieving highly sensitive and specific multiplex detection of pathogenic bacteria. The SAANC method exhibited linear detection ranges of 102-108 CFU/mL for Salmonella typhimurium and 103-108 CFU/mL for Staphylococcus aureus, respectively. Moreover, satisfactory recoveries (89%-110%) in food sample detection were obtained. Furthermore, machine learning-assisted quantitative analysis was introduced to effectively address the challenge of overlapping SERS signals from dual targets, substantially improving the robustness of simultaneous multi-target quantification. This platform provides a feasible strategy for developing high-performance Ago-based multiplex pathogen detection systems and offers an innovative solution for efficient multiplex detection of pathogenic bacteria.

RevDate: 2026-10-23
CmpDate: 2026-10-23

Liao X, Chen J, Wan Y, et al (2026)

An XNA-CRISPR Platform for PAM-Free Detection of the katG Ser315Thr Mutation Associated with Isoniazid Resistance in Tuberculosis.

Analytical chemistry, 98(37):27354-27361.

Drug-resistance Tuberculosis (TB) is a major threat to global public health. Simple and precise detection of the mutations associated with drug resistance is still a significant challenge. CRISPR-based nucleic acid detection has emerged as a transformative technology in molecular diagnostics due to its high specificity and programmability. However, the CRISPR-Cas12a system requires a protospacer adjacent motif (PAM) in the target double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) for efficient recognition and activation, which limits its application for detecting single-nucleotide variants (SNVs). To overcome this limitation, we leveraged high-affinity xenonucleic acids (XNAs) to engineer an XNA-CRISPR platform that combines a helicase and sequence-specific XNAs (such as peptide nucleic acid (PNA), locked nucleic acid (LNA), or 2'-modified RNA), to unwind the dsDNA, enabling them to invade and form stable hybrids, thereby displacing a single strand for PAM-independent Cas12a activation. This recognition mechanism, combining XNA hybridization and CRISPR verification, achieves single-base resolution. To bridge the sensitivity gap for clinical application, we integrated this platform with polydisperse droplet digital technology (PddXNA-CRISPR), which significantly enhanced the sensitivity. Clinical sputum samples were detected by using PddXNA-CRISPR for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) katG Ser315Thr mutation, which showed 90% concordance with sequencing results. This modular, amplification-free platform expands the CRISPR-based diagnostic toolkit and provides a versatile and sensitive approach for detecting critical SNVs.

RevDate: 2026-10-25
CmpDate: 2026-10-23

Lamothe G, Veillette F, Iwe IA, et al (2026)

Split Cas12a Protospacer Engineering Enables Ultraspecific Recognition of a PAM-Less DNA Strand via an External PAM-Proximal Duplex.

Analytical chemistry, 98(40):29285-29298.

CRISPR-Cas12a is a programmable RNA-guided endonuclease whose activation by double-stranded DNA normally depends on the recognition of an adjacent protospacer-adjacent motif (PAM), which constrains target selection in diagnostic applications. Here, we divide the DNA activator into PAM-proximal (Pp) and PAM-distal (Pd) duplexes, spatially separating the PAM requirement from the interrogation of a PAM-less target sequence. FRET, electrophoretic mobility shift, fluorescence polarization, and functional assays indicate that either fragment can associate with Cas12a, but that robust productive activation requires the PAM-containing Pp duplex together with the Pd duplex. Our data further support a model in which PAM-mediated protein-DNA contacts stabilize an assembly-competent complex and facilitate binding of the PAM-less Pd target capture. Weakening hybridization between the guide and Pp with a chimeric DNA/RNA increased the dependence on PAM-mediated stabilization and improved structural selectivity in the Pp region and single-nucleotide specificity in the Pd region. The resulting split-duplex architecture provides an ultraspecific platform for resolving single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the PAM-less DNA strand.

RevDate: 2026-10-23
CmpDate: 2026-10-23

Li X, Li Y, Sun S, et al (2026)

Multiplexed Detection of Foodborne Pathogens and the Antibiotic Resistance Genes Based on the CRISPR/Cas System with Engineered LwaCas13a.

Analytical chemistry, 98(38):28519-28529.

Foodborne pathogens represent a persistent threat to global public health, necessitating the development of point-of-care testing (POCT) platforms that integrate rapidity, ultrahigh sensitivity, cost effectiveness, and operational simplicity. Herein, we developed a system for high-specificity identification of foodborne pathogens and associated antibiotic resistance genes, which is a dual-modal diagnostic platform integrating recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) with an engineered LwaCas13a variant. By leveraging the CRISPR/Cas13a system, the platform establishes a multiplex fluorescence array that simultaneously detects four major foodborne pathogens (Salmonella enterica serovar typhimurium, Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus) and their corresponding critical antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), including mecA, blaCTX-M, mcr-1, ermB, and tet(M). Notably, the system retained robust trans-cleavage activity in complex biological matrices, achieving a remarkable limit of detection (LOD) at 100 copies/mL. Furthermore, the CRISPR/Cas13a system is coupled to an instrument-free lateral flow assay (LFA) for the detection of L. monocytogenes and tet(M), which effectively circumvents matrix-induced viscosity and ionic inhibition in egg and milk samples. Moreover, our developed platform was validated using samples from 40 household refrigerators, which drastically reduces assay time and thereby circumvents the inhibitory effects that constrain qPCR in food matrices and achieves 100% diagnostic agreement compared with the gold-standard methods. Collectively, this dual-modal strategy provides a promising paradigm with point-of-care capability for food safety surveillance and antimicrobial resistance monitoring.

RevDate: 2026-10-23
CmpDate: 2026-10-23

Pan Y, Li W, Cooper J, et al (2026)

RPA-CRISPR/Cas12a and Aptamer-Based Electrochemical Biosensing Duplex Platform for On-Site Monitoring of Antimicrobial Resistance in Water.

Analytical chemistry, 98(38):28259-28271.

Monitoring antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in aquatic systems is essential for tracking resistance mechanisms and identifying microbial sources. Here, we present a dual-module electrochemical sensing platform that integrates a gold-electrode-based RPA-CRISPR/Cas12a biosensor for detecting antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) with a paper-based electrochemical aptasensor for antibiotic quantification. The system employs thiol-modified CRISPR/Cas12a probes alongside amino-functionalized graphene/thionine/gold nanoparticles (NH2-G/THI/AuNPs) nanocomposites, enabling highly sensitive and specific detection (Limits of detection: 1 copy μL-1 for ARGs and 1 nM for antibiotics). Validation was performed in drinking water, wastewater, and river water samples, demonstrating a rapid sample-to-result time of ∼60 min. Coupled with a portable electrochemical workstation, the platform allows users to introduce samples and acquire electrochemical signals with a smartphone application, giving quantitative outputs displayed through a custom web interface. Field validation showed high stability and recovery rates (95-110%) for antibiotic detection. We believe that this platform addresses critical gaps in aquatic AMR monitoring by providing a rapid, affordable, and field-deployable solution, with the potential for offering on-site surveillance in resource-limited settings.

RevDate: 2026-10-23
CmpDate: 2026-10-23

Saavedra MA, Grassi S, Jespersen MG, et al (2026)

Automated Mini-Bioreactors Reveal the Temporal Dynamics and Multi-Omics Responses of CRISPRi Knockdowns in Pseudomonas putida.

ACS synthetic biology, 15(10):4023-4038.

Characterizing CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) phenotypes presents a fundamental temporal challenge: pre-existing overabundance of target proteins can mask early silencing, requiring extended growth for dilution, yet prolonged repression rapidly selects for escaper mutants. To resolve this, we integrated a tightly regulated CRISPRi system in Pseudomonas putida with an automated mini bioreactor platform operating in turbidostat mode. By maintaining continuous exponential growth, we mapped the exact temporal dynamics of essential gene silencing. We identified a critical observation window between 7.8 and 26.7 h (corresponding to 6.4-23.5 cumulative cell doublings of the uninduced condition) where repression exerts its maximum physiological impact, directly preceding population takeover by target-site mutated escapers. Applying this workflow to the arginine biosynthesis pathway, multi-omics profiling disentangled transient physiological buffering from long-term mutational events, revealing that argH and argG knockdowns trigger highly diverse metabolomic perturbations. This scalable framework overcomes batch culture limitations for CRISPRi experiments, ensuring precise temporal control for accurate phenotypic characterization and reliable functional genomics.

RevDate: 2026-10-23
CmpDate: 2026-10-23

Chen Y, Dou K, Lv L, et al (2026)

A Blue Light-Activated Sensor System Enables Dynamic and Reversible Control of Gene Expression in Streptomyces.

ACS synthetic biology, 15(10):4345-4359.

Programmable control of bacterial gene expression is critical for advancing applications in synthetic biotechnology. This is particularly true for the genus Streptomyces, a well-recognized prolific producer of diverse natural products. Although several inducible regulatory systems have been developed for Streptomyces, there remains an escalating demand to expand the repertoire of high-performance induction tools. Herein, we present Strep-LitRS, a light-sensing system for Streptomyces that exhibits pronounced activation under blue and green light, with only weak induction under yellow light. Moreover, blue light was more effective than green light in triggering transcriptional activation. This system enables tunable, reversible, and spatially controlled gene expression upon blue-light illumination. It demonstrates effective programmable control of morphological differentiation via CRISPR/dCas9-mediated interference. Its utility is further validated through the blue light-inducible production of actinorhodin and violacein in Streptomyces chassis strains. Furthermore, by coupling Strep-LitRS with the Cre-loxP recombination system, we achieve precise and conditional gene activation in response to blue light. A synthetic genetic circuit also allows light-induced control to be gated by rhamnose, enabling multi-input regulatory logic. Collectively, this work establishes a versatile light-sensing module and highlights its broad applicability for the programmable manipulation of diverse target genes across Streptomyces species.

RevDate: 2026-10-26
CmpDate: 2026-10-26

Xu H, Liu H, Lu T, et al (2026)

Genome-wide CRISPR screen identifies ELFN2 as a key regulator of host autophagy and lipid metabolism important for Toxoplasma gondii proliferation.

Autophagy, 22(11):3317-3330.

Toxoplasma gondii is a globally prevalent foodborne zoonotic pathogen that threatens animal production and human health. Consumption of undercooked meat like pork and lamb is a major route of human infection. In this study, we performed a genome-wide CRISPR knockout screen in the porcine cell line PK15 to identify host factors that are critical for T. gondii replication. The results showed that disrupting the ELFN2 (extracellular leucine rich repeat and fibronectin type III domain containing 2) gene in PK15 did not affect host cell growth, but significantly reduced the proliferation of Toxoplasma parasites. Loss of ELFN2 decreased macroautophagy/autophagy in PK15 cells and impaired lipid metabolism, resulting in reduced lipid availability for the parasites and consequent suppression of T. gondii proliferation. Exogenous lipid supplementation or pharmacological activation of autophagy could fully restore the replication of parasites in ΔELFN2 cells. The requirement of host ELFN2 for optimal parasite proliferation in vivo was validated by constructing elfn2[-/-] mice, which showed increased resistance to T. gondii infection and reduced parasite burden, highlighting the value of ELFN2 in breeding Toxoplasma-resistant animals. Notably, naturally occurring loss-of-function mutations in ELFN2 could be found in certain pig breeds, further indicating the feasibility of breeding T. gondii-resistant animals like pigs, to reduce the transmission of Toxoplasma.Abbreviations: 3-MA: 3-methyladenine; ATG5: autophagy related 5; ATG7: autophagy related 7; BODIPY-C12: BODIPY FL C12; CCK-8: Cell Counting Kit-8; ComN2: complemented with an ectopic copy ofELFN2; ELFN2: extracellular leucine rich repeat and fibronectin type III domain containing 2;elfn2[-/-]:elfn2homozygous knockout; FASII: type II synthesis pathway; GFP: green fluorescent protein; KO: knockout; LD: lipid droplets; MG: monoacylglycerol; MOI: multiplicity of infection; MTORC1: mechanistic target of rapamycin kinase complex 1; PV: parasitophorous vacuole; PVM: parasitophorous vacuole membrane; T. gondii: Toxoplasma gondii; WT: wild type.

RevDate: 2026-10-26
CmpDate: 2026-10-26

Tharu RJ, Imtiaz Y, Singha S, et al (2026)

Split Activator Assembly via Aptamer Binding Enables CRISPR-Cas12a Activation With Non-Nucleic Acid Targets.

Small methods, 10(20):e71075.

The programmability of CRISPR-Cas12a has enabled transformative advances in nucleic acid detection; however, extending its activation to non-nucleic-acid targets remains highly desirable. Here, we report a universal split-activator strategy that enables programmable Cas12a activation in response to a small molecule and a protein. In this approach, a canonical activator is divided into two fragments (p1 and p2), such that Cas12a activation occurs only upon their simultaneous assembly. We integrate this mechanism with aptamer-mediated conformation switching, wherein target binding destabilizes an aptamer-p2 duplex, releasing p2 to complete the activator complex and trigger Cas12a nuclease activity. Using this design, we demonstrate selective recognition of the small-molecule metabolite adenosine and the protein biomarker prostate-specific antigen (PSA), with high specificity against structurally related controls. Signal generation is achieved using fluorescent DNA nanoclusters (DFN-1), which undergo fluorescence decrease upon Cas12a-mediated degradation. The system exhibits concentration-dependent responses for both targets. Together, this work establishes a modular framework for coupling aptamer-based molecular recognition to programmable Cas12a activation, expanding the functional scope of CRISPR systems beyond nucleic acids and enabling new opportunities in CRISPR-Cas12a-mediated detection.

RevDate: 2026-10-23

Moreno MM, Zacarias J, García I, et al (2026)

Leveraging high temperature for enhanced and faster detection of SARS-CoV-2 and its Omicron variant with CRISPR-AsCas12a.

Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis, 284:117767 pii:S0731-7085(26)00435-8 [Epub ahead of print].

CRISPR-based methods are effective for detecting SARS-CoV-2, with performance comparable to gold-standard PCR. Developing simpler, faster, and more sensitive CRISPR-based diagnostics will accelerate their adoption in field. Adjusting the temperature at which Cas proteins operate is crucial for enhancing DNA recognition kinetics, thereby improving specificity, sensitivity, and practicality. However, optimization is challenging due to the narrow temperature range for activity of wild-type Cas orthologs. Here, we show that heating the wild-type AsCas12a protein above its optimal temperature, up to 65ºC, accelerates nucleic acid detection, reducing the limit of detection (LoD) by 33-fold without causing false positives. This effect was further enhanced by buffer optimization. We applied these conditions to develop a two-step fluorescence- and lateral flow strip-based method for detecting SARS-CoV-2 in as little as 5 min from LAMP amplicons, and demonstrated its applicability for discriminating the Omicron variant from the wild-type strain using plasmid DNA. Overall, these findings demonstrate that increasing reaction temperature is a simple, effective strategy to enhance CRISPR-Cas12a diagnostics for pathogens, without the need for protein engineering or thermophilic Cas12a orthologs.

RevDate: 2026-10-23
CmpDate: 2026-10-23

Shen H, Pan X, Wu Y, et al (2026)

CHAI-sEV: A Programmable Hairpin-Driven Cas9 Platform with AI Integration for Dual-Protein Profiling and Intelligent Classification of Tumor-Derived Small Extracellular Vesicles.

Analytical chemistry, 98(36):27244-27257.

Multiplexed protein profiling of tumor-derived small extracellular vesicles (TsEVs) requires signal-conversion strategies that are sensitive, low-background, and orthogonal. Collateral-cleavage CRISPR assays based on Cas12a or Cas13a provide efficient amplification but can compromise single-pot multitarget detection, whereas the sequence-specific cleavage of Cas9 remains underexplored for converting vesicle-surface protein recognition into orthogonal amplified outputs. Here, we report CHAI-sEV, a programmable Cas9-mediated trigger-release strategy based on PAM-bearing hairpin-locking probes (PHLPs) for dual-protein profiling of TsEVs. Each PHLP integrates Cas9 recognition and signal conversion into a single molecular substrate, in which sgRNA-guided Cas9 cleavage unlocks a sequestered CHA activator to initiate orthogonal signal amplification. After EGFR- or PD-L1-binding aptamers label TsEVs, engineered aptamer tails recruit specific Cas9-sgRNA complexes to the vesicle surface, enabling protein-specific PHLP activation and amplified fluorescence readout. This Cas9-programmed trigger-release mechanism enables dual-channel TsEV protein detection without relying on nonspecific collateral cleavage. Under optimized conditions, CHAI-sEV achieved detection limits of 162 and 328 particles/μL for EGFR and PD-L1. In plasma samples, CHAI-sEV differentiated lung cancer patients from benign-lung-disease patients and healthy controls and showed decreased EGFR and PD-L1 signals in post-treatment samples. As proof-of-concept extensions, the CHAI-sEV was further coupled to an IGZO-FET electrical readout and an exploratory machine-learning analysis combining dual-protein signals with clinical features. Overall, PHLPs provide a substrate-design principle that converts Cas9 cleavage into amplification-compatible and orthogonally multiplexable biosensing outputs, enabling sensitive and multiplexed protein profiling of TsEVs and offering potential for extension to diverse molecular targets.

RevDate: 2026-10-23
CmpDate: 2026-10-23

Min YH, Lee DG, Yoo JH, et al (2026)

RNase H-Assisted, Split-crRNA-Based CRISPR/Cas12a Lateral Flow Assay for Amplification-Free, Multi-Site Detection of Bacterial 16S rRNA.

Analytical chemistry, 98(36):27195-27202.

With the growing demand for on-site testing of foodborne pathogens, rapid and sensitive detection methods are urgently needed. Here, we developed a split-crRNA-based CRISPR/Cas12a assay integrated with a lateral flow assay (sCR-LFA) for rapid, sensitive detection of bacterial 16S rRNA within 1 h, without pre-amplification. To detect highly structured 16S rRNA, we used RNA fragmentation via DNA-helper-mediated RNase H pretreatment. When short RNA targets interact with corresponding RNA blockers, unblocked RNA spacers hybridize with a DNA activator to form spacer/activator duplexes, which activate split-crRNA/Cas12a complexes. The sCR-LFA achieved a detection limit of 104 CFU/mL for single-site targeting. Using an enhanced sCR-LFA that integrates a multi-site targeting strategy, we achieved a lower detection limit of 102 CFU/mL. Furthermore, the enhanced sCR-LFA was successfully validated in simulated milk and mushroom samples spiked with bacteria. Collectively, this work presents a promising approach for effective food safety monitoring and prevention of infectious diseases.

RevDate: 2026-10-23
CmpDate: 2026-10-23

Wu SL, Shi JY, Tan Y, et al (2026)

Cell-Surface-to-Solution Signal Transduction via a CRISPR/Cas12a-Based Dual-Target Aptamer Sensor for Detecting Urothelial Carcinoma Cells in Urine.

Analytical chemistry, 98(36):26905-26913.

Urothelial carcinoma (UC) is a common malignancy of the genitourinary system with high recurrence rates, requiring non-invasive postoperative monitoring. Direct detection of exfoliated UC cells in urine can provide tumor-origin evidence but remains challenging because of low target-cell abundance, complex urine interference, and subjective cytological interpretation. Herein, we developed a CRISPR/Cas12a-based dual-target aptamer sensor for sensitive and specific detection of exfoliated UC cells in urine. The sensing system spatially couples CKAP4-mediated magnetic capture with PD-L1-dependent retention of a Cas12a activator on the same captured cell. Magnetic washing removes unbound activator probes, whereas the cell-retained activator subsequently initiates Cas12a trans-cleavage in the solution-phase reaction. This capture-retain-activate architecture provides an AND-gate-like route for converting spatially coupled cell-surface recognition events into an amplified fluorescence output. The sensor achieved a detection limit of 12 cells per assay and showed good selectivity against interfering cells. A pilot clinical evaluation using 32 urine samples distinguished UC patients from non-UC individuals with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.996. This work provides a capture-retain-activate strategy for the non-invasive analysis of intact exfoliated UC cells and illustrates a potential design route for coupling cell-surface recognition with solution-phase CRISPR/Cas12a signal amplification.

RevDate: 2026-10-26
CmpDate: 2026-10-23

Gold R, Imtiaz Y, Morya V, et al (2026)

Invasive RNA Programs Optical Switching in DNA Nanoclusters for CRISPR Sensing.

Nano letters, 26(36):11988-11995.

DNA-templated silver nanoclusters have regained attention due to recent advances in stability and tunable optical properties. Here, we report a highly regulated DNA-templated silver nanocluster (DFN2) that exhibits strong fluorescence at 561 nm and enables reversible, label-free fluorescence switching governed by nucleic acid hybridization. The fluorescence of DFN2 is efficiently quenched with complementary DNA or RNA and fully restored through invading RNA strand mediated displacement, enabling robust and programmable ON-OFF-ON optical control. We integrated this hybridization-responsive platform with CRISPR-Cas12a to construct a target-activated biosensing system. Upon recognition of a conserved genomic fragment from a foodborne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes, the activated Cas12a cleaves a regulator DNA, initiating a cascade of hybridization and strand-displacement reactions that restore nanocluster fluorescence through an invasive RNA. This strategy exhibits high specificity against conserved genomic regions from other foodborne pathogens. These findings establish DFN2 as programmable, enzyme-responsive optical reporters for rapid, sensitive, and modular point-of-care biosensing.

RevDate: 2026-10-23
CmpDate: 2026-10-23

She L, Liang Z, Zou Q, et al (2026)

Engineering DNA-Targeting CRISPR and CRISPR-Like Effectors: Advances from Rational Design and High-Throughput Screening to AI-Driven Development.

ACS synthetic biology, 15(9):3518-3542.

Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and CRISPR-associated (Cas) proteins constitute adaptive immune systems in prokaryotes and have transformed life sciences, precision medicine, and synthetic biology as programmable genome-editing tools. Despite their broad utility, naturally occurring DNA-targeting Cas effectors remain constrained by several intrinsic limitations, including large protein size that complicates delivery, stringent protospacer adjacent motif (PAM) requirements that restrict targetable genomic space, and mismatch tolerance that can lead to off-target activity and potential genotoxicity. These challenges have made Cas protein engineering and the discovery of novel CRISPR and CRISPR-like systems from metagenomic resources central to the development of next-generation genome-editing platforms. This Review places recent advances within an integrated synthetic biology engineering continuum that links natural effector discovery, structure-guided hypothesis generation, high-throughput functional screening, machine learning-enabled model construction, and iterative redesign. This Review summarizes progress in the screening, optimization, and functional engineering of DNA-targeting CRISPR and CRISPR-like effectors, with emphasis on structure-guided rational design, directed evolution coupled with high-throughput screening, bioinformatics- and evolution-guided mining of novel systems from large-scale sequence databases, and artificial intelligence-assisted development. By integrating these strategies, we highlight how CRISPR effector engineering is moving toward design-build-test-learn (DBTL)-inspired workflows that expand the functional landscape of genome-editing technologies and advance genome editing toward improved efficiency, safety, and programmability.

RevDate: 2026-10-23
CmpDate: 2026-10-23

Wen L, Jing M, Li Y, et al (2026)

DeepCRISPR-Typer: Accurate CRISPR-Cas Identification and Subtyping in Metagenomes via Integrated Deep Learning.

ACS synthetic biology, 15(9):3738-3749.

Accurate identification and classification of CRISPR-Cas systems are crucial for understanding microbial immune mechanisms and developing novel genome-editing tools. However, traditional homology-based mining methods face severe computational bottlenecks and assembly fragmentation challenges when processing massive metagenomic data. Here, we present DeepCRISPR-Typer, a comprehensive computational framework integrating a large protein language model (TEMC-Cas), a deep sequence feature extractor (CRISPR-RepTyper), and an adaptive targeted HMM profiling strategy. DeepCRISPR-Typer integrates array and Cas evidence and significantly reduces computational overhead by dynamically invoking subtype-specific HMM subsets. In metagenomic dataset evaluations, DeepCRISPR-Typer achieved a classification accuracy of 94.26% and demonstrated a significant acceleration of approximately 1 orders of magnitude compared to existing mainstream tools. This research provides a robust and scalable engine for metagenome-scale CRISPR system discovery, significantly expanding the mining toolbox for genome engineering applications.

RevDate: 2026-10-25
CmpDate: 2026-10-25

Batır MB (2027)

Single-gRNA CRISPR/eCas9-mediated simultaneous targeting of cIAP1 and cIAP2 in colorectal cancer cells: RNA-seq reveals distinct transcriptomic and apoptotic responses.

Gene, 1016:150445.

Cellular inhibitor of apoptosis proteins 1 and 2 (cIAP1 and cIAP2), encoded by BIRC2 and BIRC3, respectively, are important regulators of cellular survival and apoptosis. These proteins contribute to cancer cell survival by suppressing apoptotic signaling. While individual knockouts of BIRC2 or BIRC3 in cancer cells have been investigated, the consequences of simultaneously targeting both paralogs remain poorly understood. Thus, a single-gRNA CRISPR/eCas9 strategy was developed in which one gRNA targeting a shared sequence in BIRC2 and BIRC3 was used to simultaneously disrupt both genes in human colorectal cancer HCT-116 cells, and the resulting cellular and transcriptomic effects were compared with those of the individual knockouts. Individual and dual-targeting CRISPR/eCas9 constructs were experimentally validated by immunofluorescence analysis, RT-PCR, and RT-qPCR, while fluorescence microscopy and T7EI analysis were used to evaluate single-cell-derived clones. Apoptosis was evaluated using flow cytometry, and RNA sequencing was performed for differentially expressed gene (DEG) analysis. The single-gRNA dual-targeting strategy resulted in concurrent loss of cIAP1 and cIAP2 expression and produced a stronger reduction in cell survival and induction of apoptosis than targeting either gene individually. In addition, the expression levels of TNFRSF25, TRAF2, TNFSF15, and MIR663AHG were significantly upregulated following simultaneous BIRC2/BIRC3 targeting. RNA-seq analysis provided detailed insight into the molecular alterations associated with concurrent cIAP1 and cIAP2 depletion. Overall, these findings demonstrate the technical feasibility of targeting two highly homologous genes with a single gRNA and reveal that simultaneous disruption of cIAP1 and cIAP2 produces biological effects that are more pronounced than those observed following individual targeting.

RevDate: 2026-10-23
CmpDate: 2026-10-23

Chao L, Li Z, Li Z, et al (2027)

Cas13d-Mediated Knockdown of Long Noncoding RNAs.

Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.), 3091:277-289.

CRISPR-Cas13 systems represent a powerful and programmable platform for RNA-targeted applications, including RNA knockdown. Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA), which lacks an open reading frame and is thereby often refractory to Cas9-mediated indel production, can be successfully knocked down by Cas13 systems. DeepCas13, a deep learning-based model, was developed to predict Cas13d on-target activity for RNA interference with high accuracy. Here, we describe detailed protocols about sgRNA design and experimental procedures for the lentiviral vector-based CRISPR-Cas13 system to knock down individual lncRNAs. Our protocol can be naturally extended to knockdown other types of coding and noncoding RNAs, including messenger RNA (mRNA) circular RNA (circRNA).

RevDate: 2026-10-23

Shamlan A, Khan MU, Farid A, et al (2026)

From detection to prediction: AI-integrated molecular and biosensing approaches for psychrotrophic and thermophilic spoilage bacteria in dairy systems.

International journal of food microbiology, 463:112130 pii:S0168-1605(26)00511-8 [Epub ahead of print].

Psychrotrophic Gram-negative bacteria and thermophilic or thermoduric spore-forming bacteria are major causes of quality deterioration and shelf-life loss in milk and dairy products. Their impact is mediated primarily by heat-stable peptidases and lipases, heat-resistant spores and biofilms that persist in processing environments; with the notable exception of toxigenic members of the Bacillus cereus group, most of these organisms are spoilage rather than safety hazards. Culture-based methods remain the reference standard but are slow and provide single time-point information. This review critically evaluates molecular and sensing methods, including quantitative and digital PCR, isothermal amplification, CRISPR-Cas assays, biosensors, viability assays, spectroscopy and (meta)omics, with explicit attention to whether performance has been demonstrated in naturally contaminated dairy matrices rather than in buffer or spiked samples, and examines how their outputs could inform predictive microbiology and machine learning. A classification framework based on growth-temperature range, heat resistance, sporulation and dairy relevance is provided, and each detection-to-prediction pathway is graded as demonstrated in dairy, partly demonstrated or proposed. Validated dairy applications currently exist mainly for individual detection assays and for mechanistic or stochastic shelf-life models driven by culture-derived data; prospective, validated workflows in which molecular or biosensor outputs are used as model inputs to forecast spoilage have not yet been reported. Because heat-stable enzymes can spoil ultra-high-temperature products after the producing cells have been inactivated, viable counts alone are insufficient predictors of such defects. Key barriers include matrix effects, small and imbalanced datasets, domain shift, limited external validation and poorly defined intended use. Detection-to-prediction integration should therefore be regarded as an emerging research direction rather than an established industrial capability.

RevDate: 2026-10-23
CmpDate: 2026-10-23

Carman LE, Samulevich ML, BJ Aneskievich (2027)

Protocol Development for CRISPR/Cas9 Knockout of the Anti-inflammatory Protein TNIP1 in HaCaT Keratinocytes.

Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.), 3110:1-20.

Gene editing in cultured cells, including the intent of sequence disruption to achieve a functional knockout of the targeted gene, has been greatly facilitated with the advent of Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (CRISPR/Cas9) technology. Primary cell strains and immortalized cell lines from diverse tissue types have been successfully targeted both for basic research examining the effects of loss of the correlating protein and for modeling select loss-of-function disorders. Such accomplishments have extended to cutaneous cells, especially epidermal keratinocytes given their key structural and functional role in barrier formation and surveillance of and response to surface events such as triggering and processing inflammatory responses. Here we describe disruption of the Tumor Necrosis factor-induced protein 3-Interacting Protein 1 (TNIP1) gene in human HaCaT keratinocytes to generate an ongoing loss of expression as a parallel system to transient knockdown we had previously achieved with siRNA transfection. The TNIP1 protein restricts cytoplasmic progression of inflammatory signals. We cover our CRISPR/Cas9 vector choice, enrichment of transfected cells via positive selection for puromycin resistance, their subsequent cloning, and gene disruption and expression analysis. We also emphasize prior keratinocyte-CRISPR/Cas9 literature as a springboard for other investigators and to illustrate the widespread relevance of such editing to the diverse, yet highly consequentially different, genes expressed in keratinocytes.

RevDate: 2026-10-24
CmpDate: 2026-10-24

Coon A, Ayers JL, Cole C, et al (2027)

CRISPR/Cas9 Editing of Human Keratinocytes for Organotypic Modeling of Genetic Epidermal Disorders.

Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.), 3110:21-40.

CRISPR/Cas9-based DNA editing has revolutionized biomedical research by enabling investigators to precisely and permanently inactivate genes in human cells to provide greater insight into the mechanisms that support normal physiology and drive disease pathology. To leverage this technology for cutaneous biology research, we optimized a strategy for efficient gene editing in human keratinocytes, which can be grown into a differentiated organotypic epidermis to extend studies of gene function to a mature 3D tissue model. Here, we describe step-by-step methods for deploying CRISPR/Cas9 to engineer a TERT-immortalized human epidermal keratinocyte line (N/TERT-2G) to generate monoclonal heterozygous and homozygous knockout cell lines. Additionally, we provide a detailed protocol for growing gene-edited keratinocytes into organotypic epidermis, which we have used to model the pathology of monogenic dermatologic disorders that were not replicated in traditional knockout mice.

RevDate: 2026-10-24
CmpDate: 2026-10-24

Han R, Xiao N, Wang J, et al (2027)

Identification of MDV and REV using RPA-CRISPR/Cas12a combined with fluorescence and lateral flow assays.

Analytical biochemistry, 720:116240.

Marek's disease virus (MDV) and reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV) are two major immunosuppressive oncogenic viruses that severely threaten the global poultry industry. Field co-infection of these two pathogens is prevalent, accompanied by highly similar pathological lesions, making conventional diagnostic technologies incapable of rapid on-site differential identification. Recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) coupled with the CRISPR/Cas12a system represents an innovative platform for rapid nucleic acid detection. In this study, target-specific crRNAs were designed against the conserved unique genes of MDV and REV, respectively, to establish a CRISPR-based diagnostic system capable of differentiating the two viruses for the first time. Comprehensive optimization of RPA reaction composition, buffer formulation and incubation temperature improved the overall detection performance. Three independent visual signal readout modalities were supported by this assay, including real-time fluorescence quantification, naked-eye fluorescence visualization under blue light, and lateral flow assay (LFA). Sensitivity evaluation demonstrated that the limit of detection (LOD) reached 1 × 10° copies/μL for MDV and 1 × 10[1] copies/μL for REV. Specificity assays verified that the system only generated specific positive signals in response to target viruses without cross-reactivity against other common avian oncogenic viruses and their subgroups. Blind testing of 30 clinical chick fecal specimens revealed that the assay achieved a 100% positive detection rate for both viruses when referenced to qPCR and RT-qPCR, with outstanding diagnostic efficacy and perfect detection consistency. Collectively, the developed RPA-CRISPR/Cas12a assay overcomes the limitations of traditional diagnostic methods and holds great promise for on-site routine screening in poultry farms and epidemiological surveillance of MDV and REV.

RevDate: 2026-10-24
CmpDate: 2026-10-24

Parida L, Swain RK, PK Sahoo (2026)

Molecular characterization and functional analysis of septin 8a in rohu (Labeo rohita): insights into immune regulation and developmental roles revealed by CRISPR/Cas9-mediated F0 mutagenesis.

Fish & shellfish immunology, 179:111706.

Septins are conserved GTP-binding cytoskeletal proteins that regulate cytokinesis, membrane dynamics, and innate immunity. Here, we report the first molecular and functional characterization of septin 8a in rohu (Labeo rohita), an economically important Indian major carp. The full-length septin 8a cDNA encodes a 420-amino acid protein containing conserved GTP-binding motifs (G1-G5) belonging to the SEPT6 subgroup with a predicted molecular weight of ∼48.98 kDa, hydrophilic character and intracellular localization consistent with cytoskeletal scaffolding. Developmental expression analysis revealed peak transcript abundance at fertilization, suggesting maternal deposition and an early embryogenic role. Tissue profiling showed the highest constitutive expression in gills, kidney, and spleen. The challenge experiments with Aeromonas hydrophila, Argulus siamensis, and the viral mimic poly I:C demonstrated a broad pathogen-induced upregulation, particularly in immune tissues. Administration of generated recombinant septin 8a in vivo activated pro-inflammatory cytokines, antimicrobial enzymes, antioxidant genes, and the MX gene, and conferred 55% relative percent survival against A. hydrophila challenge. Indirect ELISA revealed progressive increase in protein levels within liver and kidney tissues during infection. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated F0 mutagenesis in zebrafish caused developmental delay, morphological abnormalities, and a survival rate of 26%, emphasizing its role during early development. Successful mutagenesis in rohu embryos validated cross-species sgRNA efficacy. Following bacterial challenge, exon 2-edited F0 crispants showed the highest mortality (80%) relative to wild-type controls (53.33%), whereas the mortality in exon 4-edited rohu did not differ from controls. These findings establish septin 8a as a multifunctional immune regulator and developmental factor with potential applications in aquaculture disease management.

RevDate: 2026-10-24
CmpDate: 2026-10-24

Scholz V, Schönrock V, Erdmann H, et al (2026)

Parallel Analysis of Repeat Expansions: An Updated Clinical Nanopore Cas9-Targeted Sequencing Workflow for Nanopore R10 Flow Cells.

The Journal of molecular diagnostics : JMD, 28(11):811-824.

Hereditary ataxias, caused by expansions of short tandem repeats, are difficult to diagnose using traditional PCR and Southern blot methods, which struggle to detect complex repeat expansions and cannot assess repeat interruptions or methylation. An updated Clinical Nanopore Cas9-Targeted Sequencing workflow is presented for analyzing repeat expansions, now compatible with the Oxford Nanopore Technologies R10 flow cell. The workflow incorporates the Oxford Nanopore Technologies wf-human-variation Epi2Me workflow, including the Straglr tool to analyze base-called reads, ensuring compatibility with past, current, and future sequencing chemistries. It expands the number of genes analyzed from 10 to 27 and introduces new gene panels for ataxia, myopathy, neurodegeneration, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/motor neuron disease. Validated with Coriell reference and clinical samples, this method improves the analysis of pathogenic repeat expansions, providing deeper insights into repeat structures while addressing the limitations of traditional approaches. In this work, the use of multiplexing, Flongle flow cells, and single-gene targeting were explored as alternatives to panel-based approaches in the Clinical Nanopore Cas9-Targeted Sequencing workflow, finding that only single-gene targeting provides compatibility and reliable performance.

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ESP Quick Facts

ESP Origins

In the early 1990's, Robert Robbins was a faculty member at Johns Hopkins, where he directed the informatics core of GDB — the human gene-mapping database of the international human genome project. To share papers with colleagues around the world, he set up a small paper-sharing section on his personal web page. This small project evolved into The Electronic Scholarly Publishing Project.

ESP Support

In 1995, Robbins became the VP/IT of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, WA. Soon after arriving in Seattle, Robbins secured funding, through the ELSI component of the US Human Genome Project, to create the original ESP.ORG web site, with the formal goal of providing free, world-wide access to the literature of classical genetics.

ESP Rationale

Although the methods of molecular biology can seem almost magical to the uninitiated, the original techniques of classical genetics are readily appreciated by one and all: cross individuals that differ in some inherited trait, collect all of the progeny, score their attributes, and propose mechanisms to explain the patterns of inheritance observed.

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In reading the early works of classical genetics, one is drawn, almost inexorably, into ever more complex models, until molecular explanations begin to seem both necessary and natural. At that point, the tools for understanding genome research are at hand. Assisting readers reach this point was the original goal of The Electronic Scholarly Publishing Project.

ESP Usage

Usage of the site grew rapidly and has remained high. Faculty began to use the site for their assigned readings. Other on-line publishers, ranging from The New York Times to Nature referenced ESP materials in their own publications. Nobel laureates (e.g., Joshua Lederberg) regularly used the site and even wrote to suggest changes and improvements.

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When the site began, no journals were making their early content available in digital format. As a result, ESP was obliged to digitize classic literature before it could be made available. For many important papers — such as Mendel's original paper or the first genetic map — ESP had to produce entirely new typeset versions of the works, if they were to be available in a high-quality format.

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Early support from the DOE component of the Human Genome Project was critically important for getting the ESP project on a firm foundation. Since that funding ended (nearly 20 years ago), the project has been operated as a purely volunteer effort. Anyone wishing to assist in these efforts should send an email to Robbins.

ESP Plans

With the development of methods for adding typeset side notes to PDF files, the ESP project now plans to add annotated versions of some classical papers to its holdings. We also plan to add new reference and pedagogical material. We have already started providing regularly updated, comprehensive bibliographies to the ESP.ORG site.

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CRISPR-Cas

By delivering the Cas9 nuclease, complexed with a synthetic guide RNA (gRNA) into a cell, the cell's genome can be precisely cut at any desired location, allowing existing genes to be removed and/or new ones added. That is, the CRISPR-Cas system provides a tool for the cut-and-paste editing of genomes. Welcome to the brave new world of genome editing. R. Robbins

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Papers in Classical Genetics

The ESP began as an effort to share a handful of key papers from the early days of classical genetics. Now the collection has grown to include hundreds of papers, in full-text format.

Digital Books

Along with papers on classical genetics, ESP offers a collection of full-text digital books, including many works by Darwin and even a collection of poetry — Chicago Poems by Carl Sandburg.

Timelines

ESP now offers a large collection of user-selected side-by-side timelines (e.g., all science vs. all other categories, or arts and culture vs. world history), designed to provide a comparative context for appreciating world events.

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