TASER: A flexible approach for nucleic acid detection using a molecular converter

Abstract

Advancing expeditious and highly responsive in vitro diagnostic techniques is paramount to ensure the efficacy of disease prevention and control measures. Although polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has historically been regarded as the preferred technique for nucleic acid detection, its application is constrained by the need for thermal cycling equipment. While isothermal amplification methods do address some of the challenges associated with PCR, the approach of quantifying amplicons has limitations in the development of highly accessible and flexible measurement of nucleic acids. In this study, we employed the translational machinery as a biological module to transform target nucleic acids into a variety of proteins. These proteins were subsequently detectable using various equipment and devices commonly accessible in various settings. These include luminometers, fluorometers, spectrophotometers, lateral flow strip sensors, and glucose meters. This approach termed target-assisted synthesis of enzyme reporters (TASER) is based on straightforward mechanisms that transform target nucleic acids into easily quantifiable proteins, thereby offering a versatile pathway for highly adaptable and cost-effective nucleic acid testing.