The CRISPR Diagnostic platform: Detection of SARS-CoV-2

New CRISPR systems targeting DNA or RNA have been shown to exhibit non-specific trans-nuclease activities when bound to their respective targets. Mammoth Biosciences and others are leveraging these activities to create simple rapid sensitive and inexpensive diagnostic technologies. In response to the emergence of the second severe acute respiratory syndrome betacoronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) late in 2019, we turned our versatile technology towards developing a COVID-19 diagnostic assay. Initially, we established a reagent set using our original assay design, which we implemented in a clinical laboratory. We have subsequently expanded our technology in the development of DETECTRBOOSTTM, a high through-put CRISPR-based platform for SARS-CoV-2 testing in a centralized location.