The IEEE Sensors Council focuses on the theory, design, fabrication, manufacturing, and application of devices for sensing and transducing physical, chemical, and biological phenomena, with an emphasis on the electronics, physics, and reliability aspects of sensors and integrated sensor-actuators. IEEE Sensors Council serves the sensor community with its well-recognized publications, conferences, and technical committees.
The transformative power of CRISPR/Cas systems has extended far beyond genome editing, ushering in a new era of biosensing with unprecedented programmability, sensitivity, and speed. This plenary talk will trace the journey of CRISPR/Cas-based biosensors from fundamental laboratory breakthroughs toward real-world clinical and point-of-care applications. Drawing on over a decade of research bridging academia and industry, this talk will present our team's work on developing integrated CRISPR/Cas biosensing platforms capable of quantifying diverse markers, including nucleic acids, small molecules, and cytokines, across a spectrum of settings, from portable point-of-care testing to implantable devices for real-time in vivo monitoring. Key innovations include the engineering of Cas effectors into highly specific and sensitive signal transducers, as well as the integration of microfluidics and portable devices for multiplex detection towards biomarker discovery in chronic diseases. This talk will also discuss the critical transition from benchtop validation to commercial translation, highlighting lessons learned from industry collaborations and startup ventures. Finally, a forward-looking perspective on the remaining challenges, such as multiplexing, reagent stability, and regulatory pathways, will be presented alongside emerging opportunities for CRISPR/Cas biosensors to democratize diagnostics and enable precision medicine globally.