About this Research Topic
Given the success of Volume I of this Research Topic, and how rapidly the subject area is evolving, we are pleased to announce the launch of Volume II: Engineering Signal Sensors Based on Reprogrammed CRISPR Technologies.
The ability to detect biological signals has a great impact on human health and medicine. Artificial biological signal sensors usually include a gene network composed of basic modules that can sense, integrate and process specific biological signals. However, there are still some technical problems in the design and assembly of signal sensors.
The discovery of the CRISPR systems has enriched the application of biotechnology. As a type of robust and simple toolbox, the CRISPR system has greatly promoted the development of signal sensors both in vitro and in vivo. The reconstruction of signal sensor based on CRISPR technologies can further promote the development of disease diagnosis and gene therapy.
Improving the regulatory ability and programmability of CRISPR systems will provide a useful toolbox for building novel types of cellular signal sensors. Because the CRISPR system contains two elements, Cas protein and sgRNA, two different corresponding strategies will be developed for constructing CRISPR signal sensors. It is possible to respond to biological signals by re-engineering different domains of Cas proteins. The reprogrammed CRISPR signal sensors, based on sgRNA reconstruction, will also provide an easy implementation and versatile way to sense biological signals. The CRISPR sensors that sense the changes of proteins and RNAs will have various medical applications, including disease diagnosis and treatment.
The aim of this Research Topic is to develop signal sensors based on reprogrammed CRISPR technologies. Areas to be covered in this Research Topic may include, but are not limited to:
• CRISPR systems for sensing small molecule drugs
• CRISPR systems for sensing intracellular proteins
• CRISPR systems for sensing cellular non-coding RNAs
• CRISPR systems for sensing viral nucleic acids
• CRISPR molecular platforms for diagnosing viral infections and other genetic diseases
• CRISPR signal sensors for treating complex diseases such as malignant tumors
The ability to detect biological signals has a great impact on human health and medicine. Artificial biological signal sensors usually include a gene network composed of basic modules that can sense, integrate and process specific biological signals. However, there are still some technical problems in the design and assembly of signal sensors.
The discovery of the CRISPR systems has enriched the application of biotechnology. As a type of robust and simple toolbox, the CRISPR system has greatly promoted the development of signal sensors both in vitro and in vivo. The reconstruction of signal sensor based on CRISPR technologies can further promote the development of disease diagnosis and gene therapy.
Improving the regulatory ability and programmability of CRISPR systems will provide a useful toolbox for building novel types of cellular signal sensors. Because the CRISPR system contains two elements, Cas protein and sgRNA, two different corresponding strategies will be developed for constructing CRISPR signal sensors. It is possible to respond to biological signals by re-engineering different domains of Cas proteins. The reprogrammed CRISPR signal sensors, based on sgRNA reconstruction, will also provide an easy implementation and versatile way to sense biological signals. The CRISPR sensors that sense the changes of proteins and RNAs will have various medical applications, including disease diagnosis and treatment.
The aim of this Research Topic is to develop signal sensors based on reprogrammed CRISPR technologies. Areas to be covered in this Research Topic may include, but are not limited to:
• CRISPR systems for sensing small molecule drugs
• CRISPR systems for sensing intracellular proteins
• CRISPR systems for sensing cellular non-coding RNAs
• CRISPR systems for sensing viral nucleic acids
• CRISPR molecular platforms for diagnosing viral infections and other genetic diseases
• CRISPR signal sensors for treating complex diseases such as malignant tumors
Keywords: CRISPR, sgRNA, signal sensor, disease diagnosis, disease treatment
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
