Powerful Diagnostic Tool Accurately Detects Monkeypox Virus Faster Than Any Method
|
By LabMedica International staff writers Posted on 21 Sep 2023 |
|
At present, testing for the monkeypox virus (MPXV) is done mainly in centralized labs, and it can take days to get results due to location and logistical issues. Now, researchers have leveraged cutting-edge genetic technology to develop Australia’s first-of-its-kind tool for detecting MPXV.
In a collaborative study, a team of scientists led by the Doherty Institute (Melbourne, Australia) has introduced MPXV-CRISPR, a diagnostic tool that can identify MPXV in clinical samples with remarkable precision and faster than any existing method, all thanks to CRISPR technology. This is Australia's first diagnostic method built on CRISPR to target the genetic markers unique to MPXV. Although CRISPR is best known for editing genomes, it's also proving valuable for developing highly sensitive diagnostic tools that can rapidly identify specific genetic markers of pathogens.
In order for MPXV-CRISPR to work, it needs to be configured to identify the virus. Using a collection of 523 MPXV genomes, the scientists engineered 'guides' that bind to the particular segment of the viral DNA they're looking for. Essentially, when a sample contains viral DNA, the CRISPR system latches on to the target and sends out a signal, indicating the virus is present. This approach can deliver accuracy and precision nearly equivalent to the well-established PCR methods, but it does so much more quickly.
One of the standout features of MPXV-CRISPR is the speed of diagnosis it offers. In line with the World Health Organization standards for diagnostic tests to be accurate, easily accessible, and cost-effective, the researchers are now in the process of transforming MPXV-CRISPR into a portable device. The aim is to make it available for quick, on-the-spot MPXV detection across the country. MPXV-CRISPR holds the promise to dramatically change how monkeypox is managed and significantly impact public health. The study was published in The Lancet Microbe.
“By improving access to quick and reliable diagnoses around Australia, including in places with limited resources and in remote areas, this decentralized approach to testing could enable faster treatment and improve patient outcomes, while fast-tracking our capacity to manage future outbreaks,” said Dr. Shivani Pasricha, a Senior Research Officer at WEHI, Junior Laboratory Head at the Doherty Institute.
Related Links:
Doherty Institute
Latest Molecular Diagnostics News
- Diagnostic Device Predicts Treatment Response for Brain Tumors Via Blood Test
- Blood Test Detects Early-Stage Cancers by Measuring Epigenetic Instability
- Two-in-One DNA Analysis Improves Diagnostic Accuracy While Saving Time and Costs
- “Lab-On-A-Disc” Device Paves Way for More Automated Liquid Biopsies
- New Tool Maps Chromosome Shifts in Cancer Cells to Predict Tumor Evolution
- Blood Test Identifies Inflammatory Breast Cancer Patients at Increased Risk of Brain Metastasis
- Newly-Identified Parkinson’s Biomarkers to Enable Early Diagnosis Via Blood Tests
- New Blood Test Could Detect Pancreatic Cancer at More Treatable Stage
- Liquid Biopsy Could Replace Surgical Biopsy for Diagnosing Primary Central Nervous Lymphoma
- New Tool Reveals Hidden Metabolic Weakness in Blood Cancers
- World's First Blood Test Distinguishes Between Benign and Cancerous Lung Nodules
- Rapid Test Uses Mobile Phone to Identify Severe Imported Malaria Within Minutes
- Gut Microbiome Signatures Predict Long-Term Outcomes in Acute Pancreatitis
- Blood Test Promises Faster Answers for Deadly Fungal Infections
- Blood Test Could Detect Infection Exposure History
- Urine-Based MRD Test Tracks Response to Bladder Cancer Surgery
Channels
Clinical Chemistry
view channel
New PSA-Based Prognostic Model Improves Prostate Cancer Risk Assessment
Prostate cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death among American men, and about one in eight will be diagnosed in their lifetime. Screening relies on blood levels of prostate-specific antigen... Read more
Extracellular Vesicles Linked to Heart Failure Risk in CKD Patients
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects more than 1 in 7 Americans and is strongly associated with cardiovascular complications, which account for more than half of deaths among people with CKD.... Read more
Hematology
view channel
New Guidelines Aim to Improve AL Amyloidosis Diagnosis
Light chain (AL) amyloidosis is a rare, life-threatening bone marrow disorder in which abnormal amyloid proteins accumulate in organs. Approximately 3,260 people in the United States are diagnosed... Read more
Fast and Easy Test Could Revolutionize Blood Transfusions
Blood transfusions are a cornerstone of modern medicine, yet red blood cells can deteriorate quietly while sitting in cold storage for weeks. Although blood units have a fixed expiration date, cells from... Read more
Automated Hemostasis System Helps Labs of All Sizes Optimize Workflow
High-volume hemostasis sections must sustain rapid turnaround while managing reruns and reflex testing. Manual tube handling and preanalytical checks can strain staff time and increase opportunities for error.... Read more
High-Sensitivity Blood Test Improves Assessment of Clotting Risk in Heart Disease Patients
Blood clotting is essential for preventing bleeding, but even small imbalances can lead to serious conditions such as thrombosis or dangerous hemorrhage. In cardiovascular disease, clinicians often struggle... Read moreImmunology
view channel
Blood Test Identifies Lung Cancer Patients Who Can Benefit from Immunotherapy Drug
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive disease with limited treatment options, and even newly approved immunotherapies do not benefit all patients. While immunotherapy can extend survival for some,... Read more
Whole-Genome Sequencing Approach Identifies Cancer Patients Benefitting From PARP-Inhibitor Treatment
Targeted cancer therapies such as PARP inhibitors can be highly effective, but only for patients whose tumors carry specific DNA repair defects. Identifying these patients accurately remains challenging,... Read more
Ultrasensitive Liquid Biopsy Demonstrates Efficacy in Predicting Immunotherapy Response
Immunotherapy has transformed cancer treatment, but only a small proportion of patients experience lasting benefit, with response rates often remaining between 10% and 20%. Clinicians currently lack reliable... Read more
Microbiology
view channel
Comprehensive Review Identifies Gut Microbiome Signatures Associated With Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease affects approximately 6.7 million people in the United States and nearly 50 million worldwide, yet early cognitive decline remains difficult to characterize. Increasing evidence suggests... Read more
AI-Powered Platform Enables Rapid Detection of Drug-Resistant C. Auris Pathogens
Infections caused by the pathogenic yeast Candida auris pose a significant threat to hospitalized patients, particularly those with weakened immune systems or those who have invasive medical devices.... Read more
Pathology
view channel
Engineered Yeast Cells Enable Rapid Testing of Cancer Immunotherapy
Developing new cancer immunotherapies is a slow, costly, and high-risk process, particularly for CAR T cell treatments that must precisely recognize cancer-specific antigens. Small differences in tumor... Read more
First-Of-Its-Kind Test Identifies Autism Risk at Birth
Autism spectrum disorder is treatable, and extensive research shows that early intervention can significantly improve cognitive, social, and behavioral outcomes. Yet in the United States, the average age... Read more
Technology
view channel
Robotic Technology Unveiled for Automated Diagnostic Blood Draws
Routine diagnostic blood collection is a high‑volume task that can strain staffing and introduce human‑dependent variability, with downstream implications for sample quality and patient experience.... Read more
ADLM Launches First-of-Its-Kind Data Science Program for Laboratory Medicine Professionals
Clinical laboratories generate billions of test results each year, creating a treasure trove of data with the potential to support more personalized testing, improve operational efficiency, and enhance patient care.... Read more
Aptamer Biosensor Technology to Transform Virus Detection
Rapid and reliable virus detection is essential for controlling outbreaks, from seasonal influenza to global pandemics such as COVID-19. Conventional diagnostic methods, including cell culture, antigen... Read more
AI Models Could Predict Pre-Eclampsia and Anemia Earlier Using Routine Blood Tests
Pre-eclampsia and anemia are major contributors to maternal and child mortality worldwide, together accounting for more than half a million deaths each year and leaving millions with long-term health complications.... Read moreIndustry
view channel
New Collaboration Brings Automated Mass Spectrometry to Routine Laboratory Testing
Mass spectrometry is a powerful analytical technique that identifies and quantifies molecules based on their mass and electrical charge. Its high selectivity, sensitivity, and accuracy make it indispensable... Read more
AI-Powered Cervical Cancer Test Set for Major Rollout in Latin America
Noul Co., a Korean company specializing in AI-based blood and cancer diagnostics, announced it will supply its intelligence (AI)-based miLab CER cervical cancer diagnostic solution to Mexico under a multi‑year... Read more
Diasorin and Fisher Scientific Enter into US Distribution Agreement for Molecular POC Platform
Diasorin (Saluggia, Italy) has entered into an exclusive distribution agreement with Fisher Scientific, part of Thermo Fisher Scientific (Waltham, MA, USA), for the LIAISON NES molecular point-of-care... Read more