Research Projects

The proposed project seeks to develop and validate a novel CRISPR/Cas12a-based diagnostic platform for the rapid and accurate detection of Theileria annulata and Theileria orientalis, two significant pathogens causing bovine theileriosis. This vector-borne disease severely impacts India’s dairy sector, which serves as a lifeline for millions of rural families dependent on livestock for income. With India’s dairy production reaching 239.30 million tonnes in 2023–24 (Basic Animal Husbandry Statistics, 2024), protecting livestock health is imperative for sustaining economic growth and rural livelihoods. Traditional diagnostic methods such as microscopy, serology, and PCR are hindered by limitations, including low sensitivity, specificity, cost, and resource requirements, making them impractical in rural and resource-constrained settings. The proposed CRISPR/Cas12a-based platform addresses these limitations by providing a cost-effective, rapid, and highly sensitive point-of-care solution tailored for field use. T. annulata, transmitted predominantly by Hyalomma anatolicum ticks, and T. orientalis, with a broader vector range including Haemaphysalis spp., pose increasing challenges. The emergence of T. orientalis further complicates disease management due to its intricate transmission dynamics and limited susceptibility to the primary therapeutic agent, buparvaquone. Furthermore, resistance to buparvaquone has been observed in T. annulata populations, emphasizing the need for accurate diagnostic tools to distinguish between the two species and guide appropriate treatment strategies. This project will harness the unparalleled sensitivity and specificity of the CRISPR/Cas12a system for nucleic acid detection. The diagnostic platform will enable real-time detection of T. annulata and T. orientalis DNA, reducing diagnostic turnaround times from days to hours. Its adaptability for rural field conditions and simplified protocols will bridge the diagnostic gap in resource-limited areas, empowering farmers and veterinarians with timely and precise diagnostic capabilities. As the first global initiative to develop a CRISPR-based diagnostic tool targeting Theileria species, this project will pave the way for transformative advancements in veterinary diagnostics. Its successful implementation will enhance disease management practices, reduce economic losses, and safeguard the resilience of India’s dairy industry. By targeting Madhya Pradesh’s agroclimatic zones, the project also aims to generate valuable epidemiological data on the prevalence and distribution of Theileria infections and their vectors, supporting strategic disease control measures.