BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam//NONSGML v1.0//EN NAME:PhD defence K.A.V. Kohabir METHOD:PUBLISH BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART:20260409T134500 DTEND:20260409T151500 DTSTAMP:20260409T134500 UID:phd-defence-k-a-v-kohabir@8F96275E-9F55-4B3F-A143-836282E12573 CREATED:20260826T152048 LOCATION:Main building VU, 1105, Aula, De Boelelaan, 1081 HV, Amsterdam SUMMARY:PhD defence K.A.V. Kohabir X-ALT-DESC;FMTTYPE=text/html:

Picking Up the Piece s

Smart scissors become DNA detectives: CRISPR detects di seases in blood

Kavish Kohabir investigated how we can make bl ood-based genetic testing more accurate, faster, and more accessible. Such tests are important for prenatal screening and cancer diagnosis , among other things, but are hampered by the fact that the relevant DNA in blood is often scarce and fragmented.
His research focused on two related questions. First: how does this circulating DNA arise, and can we exploit patterns in this fragmentation to improve diagnos tics? Second: how can new molecular detection techniques be used to d etect genetic abnormalities with sensitivity and precision? The concr ete impetus for his research is the growing need for cost-effective, reliable, non-invasive genetic testing that can also be used outside of specialized laboratories.

Kohabir explains that DNA fragment s in blood are not randomly generated but exhibit recognizable patter ns that convey information about their origin, for example, whether t hey originate from a tumor or from an unborn child. This so-called "f ragmentomics" can be used to make diagnostic tests more sensitive and specific.
He also demonstrates that CRISPR, a technology primaril y known for genetic modification, can also be used as an extremely pr ecise "molecular detector" for genetic abnormalities. By intelligentl y optimizing CRISPR systems, we could detect specific mutations faste r and more reliably, even without complex laboratory equipment.
To gether, these findings demonstrate that combining knowledge of DNA fr agmentation with CRISPR technology offers possibilities for genetic d iagnostics based on a simple blood test.

Kohabir's findings con tribute to the development of future blood tests that should not only be more accurate but also simpler and less expensive.
In the futu re, this could result in a rapid (self-)test that can help doctors de tect tumor mutations or monitor the effect of treatment from a blood sample, without the need for large-scale DNA sequencing. These insigh ts can also contribute to more reliable screening with less invasive interventions in prenatal care.

Just as we saw with the develop ment of COVID self-tests, CRISPR-based tests could potentially be use d in general practices or hospitals without specialized laboratories in the future. This aligns with current developments in personalized care, early detection, and diagnostics closer to the patient.mented D NA, this thesis bridges fundamental molecular insight and translation al diagnostic innovation.

More information on the thesis

DESCRIPTION: Picking Up the Pieces

Smart scissors become DNA detec tives: CRISPR detects diseases in blood

Kavish Kohabir investigat ed how we can make blood-based genetic testing more accurate, faster, and more accessible. Such tests are important for prenatal screening and cancer diagnosis, among other things, but are hampered by the fa ct that the relevant DNA in blood is often scarce and fragmented.
His research focused on two related questions. First: how does this c irculating DNA arise, and can we exploit patterns in this fragmentati on to improve diagnostics? Second: how can new molecular detection te chniques be used to detect genetic abnormalities with sensitivity and precision? The concrete impetus for his research is the growing need for cost-effective, reliable, non-invasive genetic testing that can also be used outside of specialized laboratories.Kohabir explains tha t DNA fragments in blood are not randomly generated but exhibit recog nizable patterns that convey information about their origin, for exam ple, whether they originate from a tumor or from an unborn child. Thi s so-called "fragmentomics" can be used to make diagnostic tests more sensitive and specific.
He also demonstrates that CRISPR, a techn ology primarily known for genetic modification, can also be used as a n extremely precise "molecular detector" for genetic abnormalities. B y intelligently optimizing CRISPR systems, we could detect specific m utations faster and more reliably, even without complex laboratory eq uipment.
Together, these findings demonstrate that combining knowl edge of DNA fragmentation with CRISPR technology offers possibilities for genetic diagnostics based on a simple blood test.Kohabir's findi ngs contribute to the development of future blood tests that should n ot only be more accurate but also simpler and less expensive.
In t he future, this could result in a rapid (self-)test that can help doc tors detect tumor mutations or monitor the effect of treatment from a blood sample, without the need for large-scale DNA sequencing. These insights can also contribute to more reliable screening with less in vasive interventions in prenatal care.Just as we saw with the develop ment of COVID self-tests, CRISPR-based tests could potentially be use d in general practices or hospitals without specialized laboratories in the future. This aligns with current developments in personalized care, early detection, and diagnostics closer to the patient.mented D NA, this thesis bridges fundamental molecular insight and translation al diagnostic innovation.More information on the thesis END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR