Specialist
Former scientist at Synthetic Genomics Inc
Agenda
- Key CRISPR technology trends and developments, focusing on CRISPR-based diagnostics and CRISPR Cas proteins 12, 13 and 14
- CRISPR diagnostics competitive landscape and company dynamics, highlighting Mammoth Biosciences, Synthetic Genomics, Synthego, Caribou Biosciences (NASDAQ: CRBU) and Thermo Fisher Scientific (NYSE: TMO)
- CRISPR-based diagnostics development, including set-up, process and differentiation vs NGS (next-generation sequencing), PCR (polymerase chain reaction) and LAMP (loop-mediated isothermal amplification)
- CRISPR outlook – technology and commercialisation trends and increase uptake dependent on cost and ease of use
Questions
1.
Could you update us on the development of CRISPR technologies used for molecular diagnostics, highlighting what advantages or disadvantages CRISPR technologies have relative to conventional molecular diagnostic technologies such as PCR [polymerase chain reaction], NGS [nest-generation sequencing] and LAMP [loop-mediated isothermal amplification]?
2.
What is the applicability for CRISPR alternatives by price, the skillset needed from the technician, increasing accuracy, informative data or more streamlined processes? What further criteria could be appropriate in evaluating this?
3.
What are the application scenarios in target users of PCR technologies vs a CRISPR technology?
4.
A specialist in a previous Forum Interview [see PCR Testing & Alternative Strategies – CRISPR, NGS & LAMP – 28 April 2021] mentioned that CRISPR and NGS are complementary to some degree. Would you agree, and why or why not?
5.
Are there any specific considerations or challenges with either NGS or PCR you would like to pinpoint, or any areas in which CRISPR could be used to improve on existing?
6.
What is your assessment of the competitive landscape for CRISPR diagnostics? Could you discuss some of the approaches being taken and where you expect more movement towards, or what potential questions remain in some of these specific players’ strategies?
7.
You mentioned that CRISPR diagnostics have a bit of simplicity to them. Alternatively, are there any technical barriers during the process to develop a CRISPR-based molecular diagnostic product?
8.
MIT professor Feng Zhang’s team and UC Berkeley professor Jennifer Anne Doudna’s team have conducted extensive research on CRISPR Cas12 and Cas13. Could you discuss the two proteins and compare them?
9.
Could you compare Cas14 with the other Cas nucleases – 12 and 13 – and what advantages and disadvantages it has?
10.
Are there any other promising Cas proteins to note, besides Cas12, 13 and 14?
11.
What other challenges or important aspects come along with CRISPR-based diagnostics that you believe are important to address for the field’s future?
12.
It was recently announced that Mammoth Biosciences has received an EUA [emergency use authorisation] from the FDA for its high-throughput SARS-CoV-2 assay utilising CRISPR technology called DETECTR. How exciting is this approval, and what is your assessment of the company’s approach?
13.
DETECTRHow would you say Mammoth’s technology compares to miSHERLOCK [Minimally Instrumented Specific High-sensitivity Enzymatic Reporter Unlocking], which is a rapid, low-cost CRISPR-based platform for either at-home or point-of-care use, and which was approved in August 2021?
14.
What other specific players do you believe warrant tracking?
15.
Is there anything else you’d like to highlight?
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