Title:Use of CRISPR in Infection Control
Volume: 23
Issue: 5
Author(s): Isna S. Khan, Zainab Faiyaz and Asad U. Khan*
Affiliation:
- Medical Microbiology and Molecular Biology Lab. Interdisciplinary Biotechnology Unit, Aligarh Muslim University,
Aligarh 202002, India
Keywords:
CRISPR-Cas, infectious diseases, multi-drug resistance, diagnostics, therapeutics, antimicrobial resistance, CRISPR-Cas9.
Abstract: One of the greatest threats to the global world is infectious diseases. The morbidity and fatality
of infectious diseases cause 17 million deaths annually. The recent COVID-19 pandemic describes
the uncertain potential of these diseases. Understanding the pathogenesis of infectious agents, including
bacteria, viruses, fungi, etc. and the evolution of rapid diagnostic techniques and treatments has become
a pressing priority to improve infectious disease outcomes worldwide. Clustered regularly interspaced
short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) constitute the adaptive immune system of archaea and bacteria
along with CRISPR-associated (Cas) proteins that recognize and destroy foreign DNA acting as molecular
scissors. Since their discovery, CRISPR systems are classified into 6 types and 22 subtypes. Type
II, V, and VI are used for diagnostic purposes. Utilizing the CRISPR-Cas system's capabilities will aid
promote the development of novel and improved diagnostics as well as innovative delivery systems and
the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases.