Tutorials

Nucleic acid testing is decisive for the diagnosis and treatment monitoring of various diseases. Over the last years, particularly the (re)emergence outbreak of infectious diseases (such as COVID-19 caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2) as well as the discovery of new nucleic acid-based biomarkers (like microRNA clusters for diagnosing different types of cancer or Alzheimer’s disease) further stimulated the development of novel tools for nucleic acid testing. Beyond its wide application in genome editing, Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)-based assay technologies along with its CRISPR-associated (Cas) enzymes, known as genetic scissors, has revolutionized the field of biosensors. CRISPR technology provides a powerful method for the highly scalable, sensitive and selective quantification of nucleic acids in an easy, rapid and low-cost manner. 

Rapid, accurate, and accessible molecular diagnostics are poised to transform modern healthcare by enabling continuous monitoring and longitudinal disease tracking. This tutorial introduces the emerging landscape of molecular sensing technologies and their applications in both in vitro and in vivo settings. We will explore state-of-the-art approaches across academia and industry, highlighting key challenges and opportunities in circuit, system, and interface design.

Fast, accurate, affordable, and accessible assays play a crucial role in the rapid diagnosis and containment of infectious diseases, as well as the early screening of chronic illnesses. Biosensors that deliver highly sensitive and digital results—while minimizing test costs, turnaround time, instrument size, and operational complexity—are particularly valuable. In this tutorial, we explore state-of-the-art nanoparticle-mediated biosensing design concepts and technology advancements, emphasizing the unique roles nanoparticles play in signal transduction that enables digital output.