Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions for rapid, highly sensitive detection of SARS-CoV-2 in biological samples. In particular, provided herein is a rapid, low-cost method for detecting SARS-CoV-2 that provides reliable, visible test results and does not require PCR reagents, elaborate biosafety precautions, or sophisticated laboratory equipment.

Abstract: Provided are signal-inducing CRISPR-sensitive nucleic acid, optionally DNA, sensors, for example comprising: a) a non-functional CRISPR-sensitive DNA reporter construct comprising a non-functional expression cassette with at least one CRISPR target site inserted, generated by removal or addition of nucleic acids or naturally present in the expression cassette, the non-functional expression cassette having a reporter construct upstream end upstream of the CRISPR target site and a reporter construct downstream end downstream of the CRISPR target site, and b) a function-restoring nucleic acid, the function-restoring nucleic acid comprising an upstream flanking end, a function restoring repair insert and a downstream flanking end, wherein the upstream flanking end interfaces with reporter construct upstream end and/or the downstream flanking end interfaces with the reporter construct downstream end and one or both of the flanking ends are capable of permitting insertion or ligation of the function restoring repai

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions for rapid, highly sensitive detection of SARS-CoV-2 in biological samples. In particular, provided herein is a rapid, low-cost method for detecting SARS-CoV-2 that provides reliable, visible test results and does not require PCR reagents, elaborate biosafety precautions, or sophisticated laboratory equipment.

Abstract: Described are methods for generating a reporter molecule in response to a target analyte in a cell-free system. A synthetic biological circuit is used to modify the level of the reporter molecule in response to the presence of the target analyte. The reporter molecule may be glucose or another molecule readily detected using a device such as glucose monitor or other portable sensor. Also provided are kits comprising a cell-free system with a synthetic biological circuit that generates or consumes a reporter molecule in response to a target analyte.