CRISPR Nuclease Genome Cutting for Rapid Durable Microbial Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for rapid and durable treatment of acute microbial infections such as bacterial infections associated with septicaemia, sepsis, or septic shock, particularly in vulnerable populations, and for controlling microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) 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 and guided RNAs to achieve rapid and sustained infection control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If conventional antibiotics are used to treat acute microbial infections, then the infection can be treated, but the treatment is not rapid enough and does not achieve durable effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional antibiotic mechanisms (metabolic inhibition, cell wall synthesis interference) with a physical/mechanical approach using programmable nucleases to directly cut and destroy microbial DNA. This substitution enables rapid microbial killing within minutes while maintaining durable effects for hours, resolving the contradiction between speed and duration of action.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental mechanism of action from chemical inhibition to enzymatic DNA cleavage. By using programmable nucleases that can be directed to specific DNA sequences, the system achieves both rapid killing (within 15 minutes) and sustained effects (for several hours), transforming the temporal profile of antibiotic action.
2Adaptability or versatility
If broad-spectrum antibiotics are used to ensure coverage of all possible pathogens, then infection treatment coverage is maximized, but interference with other medical treatments and disruption of host microbiome occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using programmable nucleases with specific guide RNAs that target only the DNA sequences of pathogenic microbes of interest. This selective targeting allows coverage of specific pathogens without affecting beneficial microbiome members or interfering with other medical treatments, resolving the contradiction between broad coverage and harmful side effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces guide RNAs as intermediary molecules that mediate between the programmable nuclease and the target microbial DNA. This intermediary enables precise recognition and targeting of pathogenic microbes while leaving host cells and beneficial microbiome members unaffected, eliminating off-target effects.
3Reliability
If frequent dosing of antibiotics is administered to maintain infection control, then sustained treatment effect is achieved, but treatment complexity and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves continuous microbial killing through a single administration of the programmable nuclease system. The nuclease remains active and continues to target and destroy microbial DNA throughout the dosing period and beyond, eliminating the need for frequent repeated dosing while maintaining reliable infection control.
Solution Approach 2:
The programmable nuclease system performs preliminary action by rapidly destroying microbial DNA upon administration, creating a lasting effect that prevents bacterial replication and survival for several hours. This preliminary destructive action eliminates the need for subsequent dosing actions, simplifying the treatment regimen.
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
The method achieves rapid microbial killing of 99-100% within minutes and maintains effectiveness for several hours, reducing infection by several logs, and allows for less frequent dosing regimens, thereby improving patient survival and system protection.
Implementation Method 1
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 and guided RNAs to achieve rapid and sustained infection control.
Implementation Method 2
programmable nuclease cutting of microbe genomes; this is different from the metabolic inhibitor and other mechanisms of action used by beta-lactams and other conventional antibiotics for treating infections.
Data Source
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.