Background
Intestinal parasitic worms (helminthiases) cause debilitating diseases, afflicting >1.5 billion people globally. Major global endemic hotspots include: SE Asia, South America, Africa and the Pacific. Current diagnostic tests for worm infections are neither sufficiently sensitive nor field-friendly for use in low-endemic and resource-poor settings, leading to underestimation of true infection rates. Advanced tools are urgently needed for rapid mapping of helminthiases and monitoring control efforts as mass drug administration programs are unsustainable.
Aim
We aim to develop and evaluate accurate, easy-to-use and low-cost point-of-care diagnostic tools by using CRISPR/Cas12 and Cas13 based system, for the diagnosis of neglected tropical diseases, including schistosomiasis, strongyloidiasis, hookworm, lymphatic filariasis and other infectious diseases.
Project Potential
The development of CRISPR-based diagnostic tools for various helminths aligns with the urgent WHO need for ultra-sensitive, portable, point-of-care technologies. These tools can facilitate rapid disease mapping, enhance the monitoring of helminth control programs, and support the assessment of elimination targets.