Ultrasensitive SARS-CoV-2 Diagnosis by CRISPR-Based Screen-Printed Carbon Electrode

Early and accurate diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 was crucial for COVID19 control and urgently required ultra-sensitive and rapid detection methods. The CRISPR-based detection systems display huge potentials for rapid SARS-CoV-2 detection, but ultra-low viral load remains technically challenging. Here, we reported an ultra-sensitive CRISPR-Cas12a-based electrochemical detection system with an electrochemical biosensor, on which the CRISPR ssDNA reporter was immobilized onto screen-printed carbon electrode (dubbed CRISPR-SPCE). Thus the electrochemical signals are sensitively detected due to CRISPR cleavage, giving enhanced detection sensitivity. CRISPR-SPCE enables ultra-sensitivity SARS-CoV-2 detection, which can detect as low as 0.27 copy/ mL. Moreover, CRISPR-SPCE is also highly specific and low cost, thus providing a simple and faster path for SARS-CoV-2 assay.