CRISPR-Cas Genome Cutting for Acute Infection Treatment

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for rapid and durable treatment of acute microbial infections such as septicemia, sepsis, or septic shock, particularly in vulnerable populations, and for controlling microbiologically influenced corrosion or biofouling in industrial and domestic systems, while minimizing interference with other medical treatments.

Innovation Solution

The use of programmable nucleases to target and cut specific sites in microbial genomes for selective killing or reducing microbial growth, utilizing CRISPR/Cas systems with guide RNAs or DNA to program the nuclease for precise genome cutting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If conventional antibiotics are used to treat acute microbial infections, then microbial growth is inhibited, but treatment duration is prolonged and resistance develops

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveTreatment speedVSAvoidTreatment duration

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the biochemical mechanism of conventional antibiotics (which inhibit metabolic pathways) with a mechanical/genetic approach using CRISPR-Cas nucleases that directly cut and destroy microbial DNA. This substitution enables rapid microbial killing within minutes to hours rather than requiring prolonged treatment courses, directly resolving the contradiction between treatment speed and duration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If broad-spectrum antibiotics are used to treat infections, then microbial coverage is increased, but beneficial microbes are harmed

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveMicrobial coverageVSAvoidHarm to beneficial microbes

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The CRISPR-Cas system employs highly specific guide RNAs that target unique sequences in pathogen genomes, enabling precise localization of the nuclease activity only to the intended pathogenic microbe. This local specificity allows the treatment to affect only the target pathogen while leaving beneficial microbes completely unaffected, resolving the contradiction between broad coverage and selective harm.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The treatment approach segments the microbial population by targeting specific genetic sequences that are unique to the pathogen. By designing guide RNAs that match only pathogen-specific DNA regions, the system effectively segments the treatment effect to apply only to the harmful microbe while preserving the beneficial microbiome, thus resolving the contradiction between versatility and selectivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If frequent dosing is used to maintain therapeutic effects, then treatment efficacy is improved, but treatment complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveTherapeutic efficacyVSAvoidDosing regimen complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The CRISPR-Cas system exhibits self-amplifying behavior where the guide RNA and nuclease complex continuously targets and destroys pathogen DNA throughout the treatment period. This self-sustaining mechanism maintains therapeutic effects without requiring frequent external dosing, as the system automatically continues its antimicrobial activity, thereby resolving the contradiction between efficacy and dosing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Achieves rapid and sustained microbial reduction by several logs within minutes to hours, allowing for less frequent dosing regimens and maintaining therapeutic effects, while preserving beneficial microbes and compatibility with other treatments.

Implementation Method 1

utilizing CRISPR/Cas systems with guide RNAs or DNA to program the nuclease for precise genome cutting

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCRISPR/Cas system:

Implementation Method 2

the nuclease is programmable to cut a target site comprised by the genomes of microbes that have infected the subject, whereby genomes of the microbes comprised by the subject are cut

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNuclease cutting:

Data Source

PatentUS12448619B2Treating and preventing microbial infections

Publication Date: 2025.10.21 SNIPR BIOME APS

AI summary

The invention provides methods for treating or preventing microbial (eg, bacterial) infections and means for performing these methods. In particular, treatment of infections requiring rapid and durable therapy is made possible, such as for treating acute conditions such as septicemia, sepsis, SIRS or septic shock. The invention is particularly useful, for example, for treatment of microbes such as for environmental, food and beverage use. The invention relates inter alia to methods of controlling microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) or biofouling of a substrate or fluid in an industrial or domestic system. The invention also useful for the treatment of pathogenic bacterial infections in subjects receiving a treatment for a disease or condition, such as a transplant or a treatment for cancer, a viral infection or an autoimmune disease.