Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40744946›Full record

ArticleScientific reports2025

Quantum dot molecular beacons achieve sub-10 pM CRISPR-Cas detection in field-ready assays.

Drew P Lysne, Michael H Stewart, Kimihiro Susumu, Tomasz A Leski, David A Stenger, Igor L Medintz, Sebastián A Díaz, Christopher M Green

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Scientific reports, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Drew P LysneNational Research Council, 500 Fifth St NW, Washington, DC, 20001, USA.
Michael H StewartU.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Optical Sciences Division, Code 5600, Washington, DC, 20375, USA.
Kimihiro SusumuU.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Optical Sciences Division, Code 5600, Washington, DC, 20375, USA.
Tomasz A LeskiU.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Code 6900, Washington, DC, 20375, USA.
David A StengerU.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Code 6900, Washington, DC, 20375, USA.
Igor L MedintzU.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Code 6900, Washington, DC, 20375, USA.
Sebastián A DíazU.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Code 6900, Washington, DC, 20375, USA. sebastian.a.diaz2.civ@us.navy.mil.
Christopher M GreenU.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Code 6900, Washington, DC, 20375, USA. christopher.m.green127.civ@us.navy.mil.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

CRISPR-Cas systems have revolutionized molecular diagnostics through their specificity and programmability, yet their broad adoption is hindered by the reliance on expensive and complex instrumentation. Here, we present an optimized quantum dot (QD) molecular beacon (QD-MB) platform that integrates Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based detection with CRISPR-Cas functionality, achieving sub-picomolar sensitivity without the need for target amplification. By systematically tuning components, including His-tag modifications for improved QD conjugation, nucleic acid hairpin structures for enhanced enzyme interaction, and QD surface passivation strategies, we demonstrate a two-order-of-magnitude improvement in detection sensitivity. Using LwaCas13a and RNA targets, the limit of detection (LOD) decreased to under 1 pM with plate-reader-based fluorescence measurements and below 10 pM with a lamp-and-smartphone setup, establishing the feasibility of portable, field-ready applications. This work highlights the transformative potential of QD-MBs in biosensing and sets a foundation for further advances in CRISPR-based diagnostics and nanotechnology-enabled sensing platforms.

Indexed as

Biosensing TechniquesCRISPR-Cas SystemsQuantum DotsFluorescence Resonance Energy TransferHumansLimit of DetectionCell-phone detectionCRISPR/CasFörster resonance energy transferMolecular beaconsQuantum dots

Identifiers

PMID40744946
PMCPMC12313975

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.