Plant-dx: crispr-based in-field pathogen and GMO detection platform

Overview

Plant-dx is an in-field diagnostic platform designed to detect genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and phytopathogens with speed, precision, and ease of use. By combining isothermal nucleic acid amplification methods with CRISPR-Cas detection technologies, Plant-dx overcomes the limitations of conventional laboratory-based techniques such as PCR. The platform empowers farmers, agronomists, and regulators to make timely, informed decisions in the field, supporting food safety, ecological sustainability, and regulatory compliance. Its adaptability for large-scale screening makes it suitable for diverse agricultural settings, from smallholder farms to industrial operations.

Technical specifications

Core technology components:

• VIGILANT and Bio-SCAN modules use Cas9 and catalytically inactive Cas9 paired with single-guide RNA (sgRNA) to confirm nucleic acid presence at single-base resolution
• iSCAN and iSCAN-OP assays are built on CRISPR-Cas12 for robust amplification and visual detection of plant and human pathogens
• OPTIMA-dx leverages CRISPR-Cas13 for highly sensitive detection with clear visual readouts
• Isothermal amplification (LAMP and RPA) replaces PCR-based workflows, eliminating the need for thermal cycling equipment
• Lateral flow strip integration enables unambiguous visual differentiation between negative and positive samples without specialized instrumentation
• Custom sgRNA design targeting T-DNA insertion regions for GMO detection and conserved or species-specific regions for pathogen screening
• All reagents are produced in-house, supporting cost-effective deployment

Key advantages:

• Single-base resolution detection capability
• Remarkable reagent stability suitable for field conditions
• Rapid turnaround compared to traditional laboratory diagnostics
• Reduced false-positive risk through CRISPR-based specificity

Technology readiness level

Plant-dx builds on validated CRISPR-Cas detection modules that have already demonstrated effectiveness for plant and human pathogen identification, achieving single-base resolution with lateral flow readout. Future validation will focus on designing and testing sgRNAs targeting T-DNA regions in transgenic plant lines available at KAUST, as well as pathogen-specific and family-conserved sequences evaluated against infected plant samples. The platform is advancing toward translational deployment for agricultural and regulatory applications, with in-house reagent production supporting scalability and field readiness.