CRISPR/Cas-engineered technology: Innovative approach for biosensor development

On-site and real-time clinical monitoring have been progressed dramatically by integrating biosensor science with portable digital electronic technology. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) with association of RNA-guided nucleases (CrRNA-Cas enzymes) have achieved novel CRISPR/Cas biosensing science as a promising revolutionized diagnostic technology for portable and on-site healthcare monitoring and diagnostics. Among several available CRISPR/Cas systems, CRISPR/Cas12a and CRISPR/Cas13a conjugates are utilized broadly in biosensor design, because of their capability to cleave both target and non-target sequences. With the advantages of portability, cost-effectiveness, facile operation, high durability, and reproducibility, CRISPR/Cas-based biosensing techniques are a perfect choice for designing ultra-sensitive point-of-care diagnostic devices with amplified response signals. In the present review, we summarize the advances in the CRISPR/Cas-based biosensors with the focus on healthcare and diagnostic purposes. The cooperation of nanomaterial engineering with CRISPR/Cas biosensors is also represented to attain a promising viewpoint for offering novel user-friendly test kits for announcing ultra-low levels of diverse targets in the future.