Integrated nanosensor platform for ultrasensitive point-of-care nucleic acid detection

Overview

This solution is an integrated point-of-care diagnostic platform for the ultrasensitive detection of nucleic acids. By combining nanofluidic sensor technology, label-free optical detection, CRISPR-mediated specificity, and SHARP—a next-generation isothermal DNA amplification method—the platform aims to deliver results within 30 minutes without the need for fluorescence dyes or nucleic acid purification. The technology is designed for scalability, portability, and the ability to detect multiple samples simultaneously, making it suitable for field diagnostics, agricultural pathogen screening, and clinical applications.

Technical specifications

Core capabilities:

• Attomolar-level detection sensitivity, demonstrated to be 10–100 times more sensitive than current best-available technologies
• Label-free optical readout that eliminates the need for fluorescent labeling and DNA purification
• SHARP amplification requiring only two primers, enabling straightforward surface immobilization and SNP or large insertion differentiation
• CRISPR/Cas9-mediated cleavage for enhanced target specificity, with biotin-labeled primers and streptavidin capture in a secondary chamber
• Smartphone-based portable spectrometer readout via optical fiber probe for field-deployable use
• Microfluidic chip format enabling multiplexed sample processing
• Compatibility with crude cell lysates as templates, removing the need for upstream sample preparation

Technology readiness level

The underlying LAMP-based label-free nanosensor has been experimentally validated, including successful proof-of-concept detection of a fungus-like pathogen with a large 240 Mb genome in infected plants. The proposed integration of SHARP amplification and CRISPR specificity represents the next development phase. Planned validation steps include evaluating primer immobilization strategies on the sensor surface, optimizing washing and signal transduction workflows, assessing CRISPR-mediated cleavage performance, and determining detection limits using plant genomic DNA. The platform is at an early-to-mid stage of technology development, transitioning from validated LAMP-based detection toward a fully integrated SHARP- and CRISPR-enabled system.