Abstract The emergence of Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats-based diagnostics (CRISPR-based diagnostics) has significantly transformed molecular biology and clinical diagnostics. Originally developed for genome editing, CRISPR technology has evolved into a powerful tool for rapid, sensitive, and cost-effective disease detection. This review highlights the development, mechanisms, and applications of CRISPR diagnostic platforms, particularly Specific High-sensitivity Enzymatic Reporter Unlocking (SHERLOCK) and DNA Endonuclease Targeted CRISPR Trans Reporter (DETECTR). These systems enable highly specific nucleic acid detection and overcome many limitations of traditional methods such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), which often require expensive equipment and complex laboratory settings. CRISPR-based diagnostics offer portable and efficient solutions, making them especially valuable in resource-limited environments. They have shown strong potential in detecting viral infections, cancer-related mutations, and antimicrobial resistance. Despite challenges such as reagent stability and regulatory barriers, CRISPR diagnostics hold great promise for advancing point-of-care testing and improving global healthcare outcomes.
Muhammad Ahsan (2026) studied this question.