A glucose meter interface for point-of-care gene circuit-based diagnostics

Area of Science:

• Synthetic biology
• Molecular diagnostics
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Cell-free synthetic biology enables gene circuit sensors for decentralized diagnostics.
• Practical delivery of these sensors to users remains a challenge.
• Point-of-care sensing devices are crucial for accessible diagnostics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a universal reader for gene circuit-based sensors.
• To enable practical, low-cost molecular diagnostics using existing devices.
• To create a molecular translator for gene circuit activation into a glucose output.

Main Methods:

• Leveraging glucose meters as universal readers.
• Developing new glucogenic reporter systems.
• Creating a molecular translator interface for gene circuits.
• Implementing multiplexed reporter outputs.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated detection of a small-molecule analyte.
• Achieved sample-to-result diagnostics for typhoid and paratyphoid A/B.
• Detected nucleic acid targets down to the low attomolar range.
• Developed a glucose-meter interface for gene circuit sensors.

Conclusions:

• Glucose meters can serve as universal readers for cell-free gene circuit sensors.
• This approach facilitates decentralized and low-cost molecular diagnostics.
• The system shows potential for pandemic response, including SARS-CoV-2 detection.