A collection of SHERLOCK testsZHANG LAB, BROAD INSTITUTE OF MIT AND HARVARD
Three separate groups reported new CRISPR-based techniques—two nucleic-acid detectors and one cell data recorder—in papers published yesterday (February 15) in Science.
One of the new tools, dubbed DETECTR (DNA Endonuclease Targeted CRISPR Trans Reporter) was developed in Jennifer Doudna’s lab at the University of California, Berkeley. It takes advantage of the CRISPR enzyme Cas12a’s ability to continue cutting single-stranded DNA after identifying and cutting its target. By programming CRISPR-Cas12a to home in on distinct sequences in different types of human papillomaviruses (HPV) and linking it a “molecular neon sign, which literally glows when Cas12a starts shredding DNA,” the team was able to rapidly identify specific HPV strains from patient samples in test tubes, STAT News reports.
“Certainly there are improvements to be made, but as ...
