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CRISPR gene editing may help scale up coronavirus testing

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  1. skybrian
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    From the article: Also, here is the UCSF press release.

    From the article:

    To develop the probe, Chiu and his colleagues at U.C.S.F. collaborated with researchers at Mammoth Biosciences, which was co-founded by biochemist and CRISPR co-discoverer Jennifer Doudna. The test uses different reagents than the PCR-based SARS-CoV-2 ones that are currently in use, offering a potential alternative where there are shortages of the chemicals needed to conduct the latter assays. One drawback, however, is that the new approach’s sensitivity, or ability to correctly provide positive results, is slightly lower than that of existing tests. Chiu says that it will take about two weeks to develop the CRISPR test for clinical lab use—and that a point-of-care version could be ready in as little as two to three months. Scientific American spoke with him about the technique.

    Also, here is the UCSF press release.

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