Overview of Cancer Detection Using CRISPRCas13
Department
Biological Sciences
Major
Biology
Research Advisor
Westenberg, David J.
Advisor's Department
Biological Sciences
Second Advisor's Department
Chemical and Biochemical Engineering
Abstract
Most cancers have been shown to alter microRNA expression, so the development of platforms that are able to detect extracellular miRNA has become a promising new field in cancer research. CRISPR-Cas13 systems are guided by RNA and are used by prokaryotes like bacteria to have immunity against things like bacteriophages. This ability of Cas13 to target RNA makes it a potential new technology in cancer diagnostics and therapeutics. My research will review recent studies regarding the potential of Cas 13 based systems to create minimally invasive diagnostic tests for cancers in humans. The studies reviewed will evaluate the efficacy of Cas13 as a detector of miRNA and investigate improvements to specific aspects of Cas13 biosensors, like specificity and sensitivity. The result of past research demonstrates that there are multiple functional Cas13-based diagnostic systems that are able to detect very small amounts of miRNA with incredible specificity.
Biography
Chambre is a senior biology major graduating in Spring 2024. She is active with the S& T Honors Academy and the Kummer Vanguard Scholars.
Research Category
Sciences
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Document Type
Presentation
Location
Havener Center - Carver Room
Presentation Date
10 April 2024, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Overview of Cancer Detection Using CRISPRCas13
Havener Center - Carver Room
Most cancers have been shown to alter microRNA expression, so the development of platforms that are able to detect extracellular miRNA has become a promising new field in cancer research. CRISPR-Cas13 systems are guided by RNA and are used by prokaryotes like bacteria to have immunity against things like bacteriophages. This ability of Cas13 to target RNA makes it a potential new technology in cancer diagnostics and therapeutics. My research will review recent studies regarding the potential of Cas 13 based systems to create minimally invasive diagnostic tests for cancers in humans. The studies reviewed will evaluate the efficacy of Cas13 as a detector of miRNA and investigate improvements to specific aspects of Cas13 biosensors, like specificity and sensitivity. The result of past research demonstrates that there are multiple functional Cas13-based diagnostic systems that are able to detect very small amounts of miRNA with incredible specificity.
