CRISPR-based diagnostic platform detects ASF in 20 minutes

sCRAM offers a rapid and extraction-free diagnostic method that could help farmers and veterinarians quickly identify and contain outbreaks.

The test uses a one-tube reaction combining multi-enzyme isothermal amplification (MIRA) and a suboptimal PAM-mediated CRISPR-Cas12a system (37°C, 15 minutes) with a rapid nucleic acid release step (40°C, 5 minutes).

The process requires minimal preparation and produces results that are visible under UV light or via lateral flow strips (LFS). In trials using 111 simulated and clinical samples—including blood, plasma, and swabs—the test showed 100% agreement with qPCR for UV readouts and 98.2% for LFS. It also demonstrated 100% specificity and no cross-reactivity with other common swine pathogens.

These results suggest sCRAM could be a practical tool for ASF surveillance, especially in regions with limited laboratory resources.

Toward ASF-resistant pigs

In a separate study, Chinese researchers explored the potential of using CRISPR to develop transgenic pigs with resistance to ASF.

Their work, published in the Journal of Microbiology Spectrum, is the first to engineer a living organism to assess resistance to ASF infection through the CRISPR-Cas system.

The transgenic pigs showed a slower spread of the virus and delayed onset of symptoms. However, the study found no significant improvement in survival rates compared to wild-type pigs. While the CRSPR-Cas system did not prevent viral replication, it did demonstrate partial resistance, opening the door to further genetic resistance.

While CRISPR-Cas was unable to prevent virus replication, these findings highlight the potential of gene editing to combat ASF. Although more work is needed, the study lays important groundwork for future efforts to develop ASF-resistant pigs.