This scientific advancement, still in its experimental phase, offers a crucial dual functionality. Firstly, it could serve as the basis for portable diagnostic tests to identify new viruses within the same family. Secondly, it has proven effective in inhibiting the replication of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, in laboratory models, paving the way for future antiviral therapies.
The primary innovation lies in identifying a common genetic region across all known human coronaviruses. Using this molecular 'target,' scientists have employed a precise cutting system. According to lead researcher Elena Herrera Carrillo, it is 'a tool that finds a common mark in the genome of all members of a virus family and cuts it so they cannot continue reproducing in the organism'.
Unlike many rapid tests that focus on viral proteins, this technology directly locates a sequence of the virus's genetic material. Small guide molecules act as a 'molecular GPS,' directing the cutting tool to a specific area of the viral RNA, the genetic instructions for its multiplication. This strategy allows for the design of both diagnostic tests and adaptable antiviral strategies for emerging viruses, a need highlighted by the recent pandemic.
The study, published in 'Molecular Therapy: Nucleic Acids,' is based on CRISPR technology. The 'molecular scissors' are guided to a common genetic sequence, in this case, a 26-nucleotide phrase within the nsp12 gene, which is conserved across most human coronaviruses and also present in some animal viruses. In vitro tests have reduced SARS-CoV-2 replication by over 95% in the models studied.
Beyond its antiviral potential, the strategy has been adapted for the Sherlock diagnostic technique, which generates a visible signal upon detecting the target genetic sequence. Trials have shown high sensitivity in detecting minimal amounts of SARS-CoV-2, distinguishing it from other respiratory viruses like influenza, thereby minimizing the risk of false positives. The conservation of the 'common mark' in animal viruses suggests the tool's adaptability for future zoonotic outbreaks.
