pathogen-identification
Pathogen identification in plant science involves the detection and characterization of disease-causing organisms—including fungi, bacteria, viruses, and nematodes—that infect plants. Accurate identification is critical for diagnosing plant diseases, understanding infection mechanisms, and developing targeted control strategies. It underpins efforts in crop protection, resistance breeding, and biosecurity by enabling researchers to distinguish harmful pathogens and track the emergence of new or evolving threats.
open_in_new WikipediaPubMed · 2026-05-01
Researchers built a rapid, visual test using CRISPR-Cas12a technology combined with a strip-based readout to detect four major tobacco-killing pathogens simultaneously. The system is highly sensitive and simpler to interpret than traditional lab methods, potentially enabling field-level disease diagnosis.
The PCR-Cas12a-LFD system achieved a detection sensitivity of 100 pg/μL for all four target pathogens.
Four distinct pathogens — Ralstonia sp., Phytophthora sp., Alternaria sp., and Pseudomonas sp. — were each given a tailored CRISPR RNA (crRNA) and primer set for highly specific identification.
Integrating lateral flow dipstick (LFD) readout eliminates the need for specialist equipment or expertise to interpret results, enabling visual yes/no diagnosis.
