Next-Generation CRISPR-Based Biosensors for Medical Diagnosis

Dear Colleagues,

CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats), originally identified in bacterial and archaeal cells as an adaptive immune defense system, has undergone remarkable development over the past decade. Beyond revolutionizing genome editing, this versatile technology has catalyzed the emergence of a new generation of molecular diagnostics and point-of-care testing (POCT) platforms. By exploiting its unique collateral cleavage activity, numerous highly sensitive nucleic acid detection systems—such as SHERLOCK and DETECTR—have been established. More recently, CRISPR-based assays have been extended to the detection of proteins and metabolites, further expanding their diagnostic potential.

In this Special Issue, we aim to highlight the rapidly advancing landscape of CRISPR-based biosensors and their transformative applications in medical diagnostics. We welcome original research articles, reviews, and perspectives that report innovations in CRISPR/Cas system engineering, signal amplification strategies, and device miniaturization for point-of-care use. Studies exploring emerging applications in infectious disease diagnostics, cancer biomarker detection, and personalized medicine are particularly encouraged. By bringing together state-of-the-art developments from interdisciplinary research, this issue seeks to demonstrate how next-generation CRISPR-based biosensors are redefining molecular diagnostics and shaping the future of accessible, real-time, and precision healthcare.

Dr. Biyao Yang
Guest Editor

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