Nanozyme-Assisted CRISPR/Cas Biosensing for Environmental Pollutant Monitoring

Abstract

Environmental pollution increasingly threatens human health in concealed forms, such as the spread of pathogenic microorganisms and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), as well as the widespread presence of low-concentration small-molecule pollutants in water environments. These evolving challenges demand detection technologies with higher selectivity and sensitivity, making the development of advanced sensing platforms a critical research priority. The CRISPR/Cas system can be rationally engineered to recognize specific nucleic acid sequences, offering significant potential for detecting pathogens and ARGs. Its utility has been further extended to small-molecule sensing through the incorporation of aptamers. Nanozymes, which mimic the catalytic functions of natural enzymes while exhibiting unique physicochemical properties, can substantially enhance the performance of CRISPR/Cas-based biosensors. This review systematically examines the fundamental mechanisms and construction strategies of nanozyme-assisted CRISPR/Cas sensing platforms, details their applications in environmental pollutant monitoring, discusses current challenges and potential solutions for real-world implementation, and outlines future prospects. The aim is to provide valuable insights for further research and practical deployment of this innovative technology.