Multiplexed CRISPR Assay for Amplification-Free Detection of miRNAs

CRISPR-Cas proteins from bacteria are powerful tools for gene editing and molecular diagnostics. Expanding capacity of CRISPR to low cost, multiplexed assays of biomarkers is a key to future disease diagnostics, since multiple biomarker detection is essential for reliable diagnostics. Herein we desc...

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Main Authors: P. I. Thilini De Silva, Keshani Hiniduma, Rachelle Canete, Ketki S. Bhalerao, Sherif M. Shawky, Hansana Gunathilaka, Jessica L. Rouge, Islam M. Mosa, David C. Steffens, Kevin Manning, Breno S. Diniz, James F. Rusling
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Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Biosensors
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6374/15/6/346
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author P. I. Thilini De Silva
Keshani Hiniduma
Rachelle Canete
Ketki S. Bhalerao
Sherif M. Shawky
Hansana Gunathilaka
Jessica L. Rouge
Islam M. Mosa
David C. Steffens
Kevin Manning
Breno S. Diniz
James F. Rusling
author_facet P. I. Thilini De Silva
Keshani Hiniduma
Rachelle Canete
Ketki S. Bhalerao
Sherif M. Shawky
Hansana Gunathilaka
Jessica L. Rouge
Islam M. Mosa
David C. Steffens
Kevin Manning
Breno S. Diniz
James F. Rusling
author_sort P. I. Thilini De Silva
collection DOAJ
description CRISPR-Cas proteins from bacteria are powerful tools for gene editing and molecular diagnostics. Expanding capacity of CRISPR to low cost, multiplexed assays of biomarkers is a key to future disease diagnostics, since multiple biomarker detection is essential for reliable diagnostics. Herein we describe a multiplexed assay in a 3D-printed 96-well plate with CRISPR-Cas13a immobilized in each well to target three circulating blood biomarker microRNAs (miRNAs 34c-5p, 200c-3p, and 30e-5p) for Alzheimer’s disease (ALZ). Immobilized Cas13a is equipped with different crRNAs complementary to each miRNA target. MiRNA binding to crRNA complements activates the collateral RNase activity of Cas13a, cleaving a quenched fluorescent reporter (RNaseAlert) with fluorophore and quencher connected by an RNA oligonucleotide to enable fluorescence measurements. We achieved ultralow limits of detection (LOD) of 0.74 fg/mL for miRNA 34c-5p, 0.70 fg/mL for miRNA 30e-5p, and 7.4 fg/mL for miRNA 200c-3p, with dynamic ranges from LODs up to about 1800 pg/mL. The accuracy of the assay was validated by spike-recovery studies and good correlation of levels of patient plasma samples vs. a referee method. This new approach provides selective, sensitive multiplex miRNA biosensing, and simultaneously accommodates analysis of standards and controls.
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spelling doaj-art-9bad719b6b48452a9c4e3a4ef0727d492025-08-20T03:27:21ZengMDPI AGBiosensors2079-63742025-05-0115634610.3390/bios15060346Multiplexed CRISPR Assay for Amplification-Free Detection of miRNAsP. I. Thilini De Silva0Keshani Hiniduma1Rachelle Canete2Ketki S. Bhalerao3Sherif M. Shawky4Hansana Gunathilaka5Jessica L. Rouge6Islam M. Mosa7David C. Steffens8Kevin Manning9Breno S. Diniz10James F. Rusling11Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USADepartment of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USADepartment of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USADepartment of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USADepartment of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USADepartment of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USADepartment of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USADepartment of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USADepartment of Psychiatry, UConn Health, Farmington, CT 06030, USADepartment of Psychiatry, UConn Health, Farmington, CT 06030, USADepartment of Psychiatry, UConn Health, Farmington, CT 06030, USADepartment of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USACRISPR-Cas proteins from bacteria are powerful tools for gene editing and molecular diagnostics. Expanding capacity of CRISPR to low cost, multiplexed assays of biomarkers is a key to future disease diagnostics, since multiple biomarker detection is essential for reliable diagnostics. Herein we describe a multiplexed assay in a 3D-printed 96-well plate with CRISPR-Cas13a immobilized in each well to target three circulating blood biomarker microRNAs (miRNAs 34c-5p, 200c-3p, and 30e-5p) for Alzheimer’s disease (ALZ). Immobilized Cas13a is equipped with different crRNAs complementary to each miRNA target. MiRNA binding to crRNA complements activates the collateral RNase activity of Cas13a, cleaving a quenched fluorescent reporter (RNaseAlert) with fluorophore and quencher connected by an RNA oligonucleotide to enable fluorescence measurements. We achieved ultralow limits of detection (LOD) of 0.74 fg/mL for miRNA 34c-5p, 0.70 fg/mL for miRNA 30e-5p, and 7.4 fg/mL for miRNA 200c-3p, with dynamic ranges from LODs up to about 1800 pg/mL. The accuracy of the assay was validated by spike-recovery studies and good correlation of levels of patient plasma samples vs. a referee method. This new approach provides selective, sensitive multiplex miRNA biosensing, and simultaneously accommodates analysis of standards and controls.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6374/15/6/346CRISPRAlzheimer biomarkersmiRNAsmultiplexed assayfluorescence
spellingShingle P. I. Thilini De Silva
Keshani Hiniduma
Rachelle Canete
Ketki S. Bhalerao
Sherif M. Shawky
Hansana Gunathilaka
Jessica L. Rouge
Islam M. Mosa
David C. Steffens
Kevin Manning
Breno S. Diniz
James F. Rusling
Multiplexed CRISPR Assay for Amplification-Free Detection of miRNAs
Biosensors
CRISPR
Alzheimer biomarkers
miRNAs
multiplexed assay
fluorescence
title Multiplexed CRISPR Assay for Amplification-Free Detection of miRNAs
title_full Multiplexed CRISPR Assay for Amplification-Free Detection of miRNAs
title_fullStr Multiplexed CRISPR Assay for Amplification-Free Detection of miRNAs
title_full_unstemmed Multiplexed CRISPR Assay for Amplification-Free Detection of miRNAs
title_short Multiplexed CRISPR Assay for Amplification-Free Detection of miRNAs
title_sort multiplexed crispr assay for amplification free detection of mirnas
topic CRISPR
Alzheimer biomarkers
miRNAs
multiplexed assay
fluorescence
url https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6374/15/6/346
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