Crispr-based field diagnostics for plant pathogen detection

Background

Plant diseases, caused by viruses, fungi, and bacteria, present significant challenges to global agriculture, leading to economic losses and reduced food security. Rapid, accurate, and cost-effective diagnostics are critical to mitigate these losses by enabling early detection and management. Current methods, such as PCR, are sensitive but require expensive equipment, specialized personnel, and centralized laboratories, limiting their accessibility and practicality for farmers and agribusinesses.

Solution

Montana State University (MSU) researchers have developed a CRISPR-based system that detects RNA from plant pathogens, providing a powerful tool for diagnosing plant diseases directly in the field.

This system isolates small amounts of RNA from plant material, capturing and concentrating plant nucleic acids. When the target RNA binds to the CRISPR system, it activates an enzyme that amplifies the detection signal. This approach reduces preparation time and streamlines workflows, making it well-suited for agricultural diagnostics.

Benefits

• Faster: Results within 30 minutes enable real-time decision-making.
• Cheaper: Minimizes reliance on expensive PCR equipment and centralized labs improving accessibility for farmers.
• Field-Friendly: Portable and robust for on-site testing in various agricultural settings.
• Versatile: Detects a variety of diseases, including plant viruses, bacteria, and fungi.

Potential Applications in Agriculture

• Disease Detection: Identify plant diseases such as those affecting potatoes, citrus, maize, wheat, and soybeans.
• Quality Assurance: Assist in monitoring pathogens during crop processing and storage.
• Disease Management: Potential for rapid screening to support plant health.

Competitive Advantages

• Built-In Signal Amplification: The system's built-in amplification mechanisms allow for amplification-free workflows under specific conditions, simplifying the process and reducing costs.
• Enhanced Target Capture: The system isolates and concentrates specific nucleic acids, reducing preparation steps and making the detection process more efficient.
• Portable: Designed for easy use in remote or resource-limited settings.

Opportunity

• U.S. Patent No. 11,814,689 is available for licensing and commercialization. There is also a corresponding EP patent application.
• Nature Communications publication: Sequence-specific capture and concentration of viral RNA by type III CRISPR system enhances diagnostic
• Research is ongoing and researchers are available for collaboration