Biosensor for rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2 in real-world samples

• Published in: Proceedings of IEEE Sensors ... pp. 1 - 4
• Main Authors: Forinova, Michala, Pilipenco, Alina, Visova, Ivana, Kuncak, Jakub, Lynn, N. Scott, Yudin, Petr, Dostalek, Jakub, Honig, Vaclav, Palus, Martin, Maskova, Hana, Dycka, Filip, Sterba, Jan, Vrabcova, Marketa, Arnostova, Judita, Spasovova, Monika, Tung, Chao-Ping, Yang, An-Suei, Dejneka, Alexandr, Vaisocherova-Lisalova, Hana
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: IEEE 31.10.2021
• Subjects: A-QCM; antifouling; biosensor; Biosensors; Coronaviruses; Pandemics; polymer brush; Proteins; QCM; Quartz crystals; rapid detection; SARS-CoV-2; Sensitivity; Sensors
• ISSN: 2168-9229
• DOI: 10.1109/SENSORS47087.2021.9639783

The current COVID-19 pandemic has become a worldwide problem with more than 169 million people infected by May 2021. Here we demonstrate a unique technology, based on the quartz crystal microbalance method, for the rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2. This biosensor fulfils all of the many requirements for the rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2 in complex samples. This is achieved by a tailored antifouling surface post-modified with antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein (N). The A-QCM profits from absence of sample pre-treatment and utilizes the natural properties of N protein, which forms complexes with vRNA. Thanks to this, the clinically relevant LOD of 6.7×10 3 PFU/mL was reached using one-step detection assay. The A-QCM biosensor was also validated with clinical samples (i.e. nasopharyngeal swabs) with full agreement with qRT-PCR. The A-QCM biosensor was also utilized for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in surface swabs in means of public transport.