Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 6, 2026
07:54
Two-Step Reverse Transcription Droplet Digital PCR Protocols for SARS-CoV-2 Detection and Quantification
Published on: March 31, 2021
4.8K
Next-Generation Nucleic Acid-Based Diagnostics for Viral Pathogens: Lessons Learned from the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic
Amy Papaneri1, Guohong Cui1, Shih-Heng Chen2
1In Vivo Neurobiology Group, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, Durham, NC 27709, USA.
Microorganisms
|August 28, 2025
Summary
Next-generation molecular diagnostics like CRISPR and biosensors offer faster, more sensitive pathogen detection. This review analyzes their strategic and economic feasibility for future pandemic preparedness, highlighting cost-saving benefits.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Diagnostics
- Pandemic Preparedness
- Biotechnology
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for rapid, sensitive pathogen detection.
- Conventional PCR has limitations in speed and point-of-care application.
- CRISPR-based systems, isothermal amplification, and biosensors offer advanced nucleic acid detection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the feasibility, scalability, and economic benefits of integrating next-generation diagnostic technologies into pandemic-response pipelines.
- To synthesize advances in coronavirus diagnostic platforms and assess their cost-saving potential during high demand.
- To evaluate the translation of technologies like CRISPR-Cas with RPA into first-line diagnostic pipelines for emerging viral threats.
Main Methods:
- Review and synthesis of recent advances in molecular diagnostic technologies.
- Analysis of strategic and economic factors influencing real-world implementation.
- Evaluation of CRISPR-Cas integration with recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA).
Main Results:
- CRISPR, isothermal amplification, and biosensors show improved speed, sensitivity, and point-of-care use over PCR.
- Significant strategic and economic hurdles exist for widespread implementation.
- CRISPR-Cas combined with RPA presents a viable option for robust diagnostic pipelines.
Conclusions:
- Next-generation diagnostics are crucial for effective pandemic response.
- Addressing implementation challenges is key to leveraging these technologies.
- Strategic deployment can lead to cost savings and improved public health outcomes.
Related Concept Videos
00:36Viral Mutations
33.2K
A mutation is a change in the sequence of bases of DNA or RNA in a genome. Some mutations occur during replication of the genome due to errors made by the polymerase enzymes that replicate DNA or RNA. Unlike DNA polymerase, RNA polymerase is prone to errors because it is not capable of “proofreading” its work. Viruses with RNA-based genomes, like HIV, therefore accrue mutations faster than viruses with DNA-based genomes. Because mutation and recombination provide the raw material...
33.2K
01:05Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms-SNPs
14.8K
A single nucleotide polymorphism or SNP is a single nucleotide variation at a specific genomic position in a large population. It is the most prevalent type of sequence variation found in the human genome. Point mutations that occur in more than 1% of the population qualify as SNPs. These are present once every 1000 nucleotides on an average in the human genome. Replacement of a purine with another purine (A/G) or a pyrimidine with another pyrimidine (C/T) is known as a transition. In contrast,...
14.8K