ViroiDoc publishes: Amplification-Free CRISPR/Cas13a Platform for Viroid Detection

New ViroiDoc preprint published on bioRxiv.

The ViroiDoc consortium is pleased to announce the publication of a new preprint presenting recent advances in the development of innovative molecular diagnostic tools for plant health.

Published on bioRxiv, the preprint, Amplification-free CRISPR/Cas13a-based viroid detection in RNA extracts from infected plants, introduces an amplification-free CRISPR/Cas13a-based platform for the detection of viroids directly from RNA extracts of infected plants. The approach has the potential to be extended to a broad range of RNA-derived plant pathogens, offering a flexible and modular strategy for future diagnostic applications.

The work was carried out by Linh T.T. Le, Roser Montagud-Martínez, Guillermo Rodrigo, and José-Antonio Daròs, whose study demonstrates a practical methodology that contributes to the advancement of rapid, reliable, and accessible molecular diagnostics for plant pathogens.

This publication marks another important milestone for the ViroiDoc project and reflects the collaborative efforts of the consortium in developing next-generation diagnostic solutions that support plant health, strengthen agricultural resilience, and contribute to more sustainable crop protection.

The preprint is available on bioRxiv.

About ViroiDoc

The ViroiDoc project investigates the molecular mechanisms of viroid pathogenesis, develops advanced diagnostic tools for early detection, and explores innovative strategies to prevent their dissemination. The project mission is to protect crops and ensure sustainable agricultural production by developing effective, science-based solutions for managing viroid-related diseases.

This consortium provides a unique interdisciplinary research and innovation environment for the training of 10 doctoral candidates – MSCA fellows, equipping them with cutting-edge expertise and transferable skills relevant to agriculture, biotechnology, and biomedicine.

Linh T.T. Le is an MSCA fellow within the ViroiDoc Network. Linh is working on an individual research project entitled “Point-of-care viroid diagnosis based on CRISPR-Cas technologies” at the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), while also pursuing her PhD at the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV). Linh´s supervisor is José-Antonio Daròs (CSIC).

ViroiDoc project is funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Research Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.