CRISPR-Based Programmable RNA-Responsive Protein Materials

With the rapid expansion of RNA biology and associated biotechnologies, smart materials with programmable RNA responsiveness offer immense opportunities for biosensing, diagnostics, and therapeutics. Here, we present a programmable RNA-responsive protein material system leveraging CRISPR-Cas7–11, an RNA-guided protease complex. By immobilizing the protease complex and cleavable payload proteins onto protein scaffolds via SpyTag/SpyCatcher chemistry, we developed two platforms: (1) synthetic spider-silk fibers and (2) protein hydrogels. These materials enable sequence-specific RNA detection, triggering the controlled release of payloads such as GFP or the biofilm-degrading enzyme PslG. Applications demonstrated include viral RNA sensing and Pseudomonas aeruginosa detection with targeted biofilm degradation.