CRISPR's Pioneers Find A Way To Use It As A Glowing Virus Detector

CRISPR is at this point well-known for it's powerful ability to genetically engineer DNA, but more and more often scientists are turning to CRISPR for other tasks as well.

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In a paper out today in the journal Science, CRISPR pioneer Jennifer Doudna's UC Berkeley lab describes a fascinating new use: Using CRISPR as a DNA detective to identify snippets of DNA that might signal a viral infection, cancer or even defective genes.

The system is dubbed DETECTR, short for the mouthful DNA Endonuclease Targeted CRISPR Trans Reporter. Typically, CRISPR is used to edit DNA; it's technology that allows scientists to more easily than ever snip DNA in particular places, deleting genes or replacing them in order to do things such as cure and study disease. The DETECR system uses CRISPR for something else entirely.



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