Development of a CRISPR-Cas13d delivery method for an antiviral strategy to interfere with the SARS-CoV-2 replication in cells

Identifier:  TFG:4418

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/TFG4418

Authors:  Cunillera Bori, Pau

Abstract:
The COVID-19 pandemic has imposed an important load on global health and global economy. The described ability of SARS-CoV-2 virus to mutate and evade the current treatments highlights the need for flexible pan-coronavirus antiviral approaches. Here, we review the revolutionary CRISPR-Cas13d technology as a therapeutic drug for viral inhibition, emphasising its delivery challenges of CRISPR reagents. We found out that electroporation protein delivery is too detrimental for cell viability, suggesting the nucleic acids (DNA or RNA) transfection cells. Finally, we propose some improvement points to establish future CRISPR-Cas13d anti-SARS-CoV-2 strategies.