FIELD-DEPLOYABLE CRISPR-BASED DIAGNOSTICS FOR IMPROVED BIOSECURITY IN AQUACULTURE

Rapid and accurate health assessment of farmed animals is critical to US aquaculture and agriculture. It is hindered by the cost, time, and technical expertise required for standard diagnostic methods, resulting in reduced capacity for disease control and production losses. Our goal is to transform US animal production by developing rapid, inexpensive, sensitive, field-deployable CRISPR-based diagnostics that enable farmers to effectively monitor and respond to disease outbreaks, validate pathogen-free status of broodstock, and screen imported materials for threats. The target pathogen for this Phase I project is White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV), a devastating virus that disrupts shrimp farm operations worldwide, resulting in billions of dollars in lost production. WSSV is highly virulent, leading to mass mortality such that early, rapid detection is critical to prevent catastrophic losses and mitigate spread. The specific objectives of this project are to (1) advance an established WSSV CRISPR-based diagnostic assay to be compatible with a cartridge-based diagnostic device ("PowerLite") developed by Sherlock Biosciences, (2) develop a simple field-based sample collection procedure compatible with the CRISPR detection cartridge (3) test the field deployable WSSV cartridge on the "PowerLite" prototype. This innovative technology would improve biomonitoring practices by enabling shrimp farmers to more rapidly and accurately screen for, and respond to, WSSV. It would provide a platform that could extend to other animal pathogens that impact US aquaculture and agriculture. This provides a unique business opportunity for Sherlock Biosciences to expand its technology platform beyond human health to domestic and global food security.