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Yang Y, Cui J, Luo D, Murray J, Chen X, Hülck S, Tripp RA, Zhao Y. Rapid Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Variants Using an Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2-Based Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Sensor Enhanced by CoVari Deep Learning Algorithms. ACS Sens 2024; 9:3158-3169. [PMID: 38843447 PMCID: PMC11217934 DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.4c00488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 05/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
An integrated approach combining surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) with a specialized deep learning algorithm to rapidly and accurately detect and quantify SARS-CoV-2 variants is developed based on an angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2)-functionalized AgNR@SiO2 array SERS sensor. SERS spectra with concentrations of different variants were collected using a portable Raman system. After appropriate spectral preprocessing, a deep learning algorithm, CoVari, is developed to predict both the viral variant species and concentrations. Using a 10-fold cross-validation strategy, the model achieves an average accuracy of 99.9% in discriminating between different virus variants and R2 values larger than 0.98 for quantifying viral concentrations of the three viruses, demonstrating the high quality of the detection. The limit of detection of the ACE2 SERS sensor is determined to be 10.472, 11.882, and 21.591 PFU/mL for SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV-2 B1, and CoV-NL63, respectively. The feature importance of virus classification and concentration regression in the CoVari algorithm are calculated based on a permutation algorithm, which showed a clear correlation to the biochemical origins of the spectra or spectral changes. In an unknown specimen test, classification accuracy can achieve >90% for concentrations larger than 781 PFU/mL, and the predicted concentrations consistently align with actual values, highlighting the robustness of the proposed algorithm. Based on the CoVari architecture and the output vector, this algorithm can be generalized to predict both viral variant species and concentrations simultaneously for a broader range of viruses. These results demonstrate that the SERS + CoVari strategy has the potential for rapid and quantitative detection of virus variants and potentially point-of-care diagnostic platforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanjun Yang
- Department
of Physics and Astronomy, The University
of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
| | - Jiaheng Cui
- School
of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering, The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
| | - Dan Luo
- Department
of Statistics, The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
| | - Jackelyn Murray
- Department
of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
| | - Xianyan Chen
- Department
of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, College of Public Health, The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
| | | | - Ralph A. Tripp
- Department
of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
| | - Yiping Zhao
- Department
of Physics and Astronomy, The University
of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
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2
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Cerdeira Ferreira LM, Lima D, Marcolino-Junior LH, Bergamini MF, Kuss S, Campanhã Vicentini F. Cutting-edge biorecognition strategies to boost the detection performance of COVID-19 electrochemical biosensors: A review. Bioelectrochemistry 2024; 157:108632. [PMID: 38181592 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2023.108632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
Electrochemical biosensors are known for their high sensitivity, selectivity, and low cost. Recently, they have gained significant attention and became particularly important as promising tools for the detection of COVID-19 biomarkers, since they offer a rapid and accurate means of diagnosis. Biorecognition strategies are a crucial component of electrochemical biosensors and determine their specificity and sensitivity based on the interaction of biological molecules, such as antibodies, enzymes, and DNA, with target analytes (e.g., viral particles, proteins and genetic material) to create a measurable signal. Different biorecognition strategies have been developed to enhance the performance of electrochemical biosensors, including direct, competitive, and sandwich binding, alongside nucleic acid hybridization mechanisms and gene editing systems. In this review article, we present the different strategies used in electrochemical biosensors to target SARS-CoV-2 and other COVID-19 biomarkers, as well as explore the advantages and disadvantages of each strategy and highlight recent progress in this field. Additionally, we discuss the challenges associated with developing electrochemical biosensors for clinical COVID-19 diagnosis and their widespread commercialization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luís Marcos Cerdeira Ferreira
- Center of Nature Sciences, Federal University of São Carlos, Rod. Lauri Simões de Barros km 12, 18290-000, Buri, SP, Brazil; Laboratory of Electrochemical Sensors (LabSensE) Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Paraná, 81.531-980, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - Dhésmon Lima
- Laboratory for Bioanalytics and Electrochemical Sensing (LBES), Department of Chemistry, University of Manitoba, 144 Dysart Road, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2N2, Canada.
| | - Luiz Humberto Marcolino-Junior
- Laboratory of Electrochemical Sensors (LabSensE) Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Paraná, 81.531-980, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - Marcio Fernando Bergamini
- Laboratory of Electrochemical Sensors (LabSensE) Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Paraná, 81.531-980, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - Sabine Kuss
- Laboratory for Bioanalytics and Electrochemical Sensing (LBES), Department of Chemistry, University of Manitoba, 144 Dysart Road, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Fernando Campanhã Vicentini
- Center of Nature Sciences, Federal University of São Carlos, Rod. Lauri Simões de Barros km 12, 18290-000, Buri, SP, Brazil.
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3
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Nurrohman DT, Chiu NF. Unraveling the Dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 Mutations: Insights from Surface Plasmon Resonance Biosensor Kinetics. BIOSENSORS 2024; 14:99. [PMID: 38392018 PMCID: PMC10887047 DOI: 10.3390/bios14020099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) technology is known to be a powerful tool for studying biomolecular interactions because it offers real-time and label-free multiparameter analysis with high sensitivity. This article summarizes the results that have been obtained from the use of SPR technology in studying the dynamics of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) mutations. This paper will begin by introducing the working principle of SPR and the kinetic parameters of the sensorgram, which include the association rate constant (ka), dissociation rate constant (kd), equilibrium association constant (KA), and equilibrium dissociation constant (KD). At the end of the paper, we will summarize the kinetic data on the interaction between angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and SARS-CoV-2 obtained from the results of SPR signal analysis. ACE2 is a material that mediates virus entry. Therefore, understanding the kinetic changes between ACE2 and SARS-CoV-2 caused by the mutation will provide beneficial information for drug discovery, vaccine development, and other therapeutic purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devi Taufiq Nurrohman
- Laboratory of Nano-Photonics and Biosensors, Institute of Electro-Optical Engineering, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei 11677, Taiwan;
| | - Nan-Fu Chiu
- Laboratory of Nano-Photonics and Biosensors, Institute of Electro-Optical Engineering, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei 11677, Taiwan;
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei 11677, Taiwan
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4
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de Araujo WR, Lukas H, Torres MDT, Gao W, de la Fuente-Nunez C. Low-Cost Biosensor Technologies for Rapid Detection of COVID-19 and Future Pandemics. ACS NANO 2024; 18:1757-1777. [PMID: 38189684 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c01629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Many systems have been designed for the detection of SARS-CoV-2, which is the virus that causes COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2 is readily transmitted, resulting in the rapid spread of disease in human populations. Frequent testing at the point of care (POC) is a key aspect for controlling outbreaks caused by SARS-CoV-2 and other emerging pathogens, as the early identification of infected individuals can then be followed by appropriate measures of isolation or treatment, maximizing the chances of recovery and preventing infectious spread. Diagnostic tools used for high-frequency testing should be inexpensive, provide a rapid diagnostic response without sophisticated equipment, and be amenable to manufacturing on a large scale. The application of these devices should enable large-scale data collection, help control viral transmission, and prevent disease propagation. Here we review functional nanomaterial-based optical and electrochemical biosensors for accessible POC testing for COVID-19. These biosensors incorporate nanomaterials coupled with paper-based analytical devices and other inexpensive substrates, traditional lateral flow technology (antigen and antibody immunoassays), and innovative biosensing methods. We critically discuss the advantages and disadvantages of nanobiosensor-based approaches compared to widely used technologies such as PCR, ELISA, and LAMP. Moreover, we delineate the main technological, (bio)chemical, translational, and regulatory challenges associated with developing functional and reliable biosensors, which have prevented their translation into the clinic. Finally, we highlight how nanobiosensors, given their unique advantages over existing diagnostic tests, may help in future pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Reis de Araujo
- Portable Chemical Sensors Lab, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, State University of Campinas - UNICAMP, Campinas, SP 13083-970, Brazil
| | - Heather Lukas
- Andrew and Peggy Cherng Department of Medical Engineering, Division of Engineering and Applied Science, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, United States
| | - Marcelo D T Torres
- Machine Biology Group, Departments of Psychiatry and Microbiology, Institute for Biomedical Informatics, Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
- Departments of Bioengineering and Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
- Penn Institute for Computational Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Wei Gao
- Andrew and Peggy Cherng Department of Medical Engineering, Division of Engineering and Applied Science, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, United States
| | - Cesar de la Fuente-Nunez
- Machine Biology Group, Departments of Psychiatry and Microbiology, Institute for Biomedical Informatics, Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
- Departments of Bioengineering and Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
- Penn Institute for Computational Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
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5
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Fan T, Li C, Liu X, Xu H, Li W, Wang M, Mei X, Li D. Development of practical techniques for simultaneous detection and distinction of current and emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants. ANAL SCI 2023; 39:1839-1856. [PMID: 37517003 DOI: 10.1007/s44211-023-00396-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Countless individuals have fallen victim to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and have generated antibodies, reducing the risk of secondary infection in the short term. However, with the emergence of mutated strains, the probability of subsequent infections remains high. Consequently, the demand for simple and accessible methods for distinguishing between different variants is soaring. Although monitoring viral gene sequencing is an effective approach for differentiating between various types of SARS-CoV-2 variants, it may not be easily accessible to the general public. In this article, we provide an overview of the reported techniques that use combined approaches and adaptable testing methods that use editable recognition receptors for simultaneous detection and distinction of current and emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants. These techniques employ straightforward detection strategies, including tests capable of simultaneously identifying and differentiating between different variants. Furthermore, we recommend advancing the development of uncomplicated protocols for distinguishing between current and emerging variants. Additionally, we propose further development of facile protocols for the differentiation of existing and emerging variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuocen Fan
- Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, 121000, China
| | - Chengjie Li
- Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, 121000, China
| | - Xinlei Liu
- Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, 121000, China
| | - Hongda Xu
- Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, 121000, China
| | - Wenhao Li
- Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, 121000, China
| | - Minghao Wang
- Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, 121000, China
| | - Xifan Mei
- Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, 121000, China.
| | - Dan Li
- Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, 121000, China.
- College of Pharmacy, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, 121000, China.
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6
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Rong G, Xu Y, Sawan M. Machine Learning Techniques for Effective Pathogen Detection Based on Resonant Biosensors. BIOSENSORS 2023; 13:860. [PMID: 37754094 PMCID: PMC10526989 DOI: 10.3390/bios13090860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
We describe a machine learning (ML) approach to processing the signals collected from a COVID-19 optical-based detector. Multilayer perceptron (MLP) and support vector machine (SVM) were used to process both the raw data and the feature engineering data, and high performance for the qualitative detection of the SARS-CoV-2 virus with concentration down to 1 TCID50/mL was achieved. Valid detection experiments contained 486 negative and 108 positive samples, and control experiments, in which biosensors without antibody functionalization were used to detect SARS-CoV-2, contained 36 negative samples and 732 positive samples. The data distribution patterns of the valid and control detection dataset, based on T-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding (t-SNE), were used to study the distinguishability between positive and negative samples and explain the ML prediction performance. This work demonstrates that ML can be a generalized effective approach to process the signals and the datasets of biosensors dependent on resonant modes as biosensing mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Mohamad Sawan
- CenBRAIN Neurotech Center of Excellence, School of Engineering, Westlake University, 600 Dunyu Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou 310030, China; (G.R.); (Y.X.)
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7
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Ren F, Jiang H, Shi L, Zhang L, Li X, Lu Q, Li Q. 68Ga-cyc-DX600 PET/CT in ACE2-targeted tumor imaging. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2023; 50:2056-2067. [PMID: 36847824 PMCID: PMC9969023 DOI: 10.1007/s00259-023-06159-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE For the tumor-specific ACE2 expression, this research aimed to establish and verify ACE2-targeted PET imaging in differentiating tumors with distinct ACE2 expression. METHODS 68Ga-cyc-DX600 was synthesized as tracer of ACE2 PET. NOD-SCID mice were used to prepare the subcutaneous tumor models with HEK-293 or HEK-293T/hACE2 cells to verify ACE2 specificity, with other kinds of tumor cells to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency for ACE2 expression, additionally, immunohistochemical analysis and western blot were used to certify the findings on ACE2 PET, which was then performed on four cancer patients and compared with FDG PET. RESULTS The metabolic clearance of 68Ga-cyc-DX600 was initially completed in 60 min, realizing an ACE2-dependent and organ-specific background of ACE2 PET; meanwhile, tracer uptake of subcutaneous tumor models was of a definite dependence on ACE2 expression (r = 0.903, p < 0.05), and the latter served as the primary factor when ACE2 PET was used for the differential diagnosis of ACE2-related tumors. In pre-clinical practice, a comparable tumor-to-background ratio was acquired in ACE2 PET of a lung cancer patient at 50 and 80 min post injection; the quantitative values of ACE2 PET and FDG PET were negatively correlated (r = - 0.971 for SUVmax, p = 0.006; r = - 0.994 for SUVmean, p = 0.001) in an esophageal cancer patient, no matter the primary lesion or metastasis. CONCLUSIONS 68Ga-cyc-DX600 PET was an ACE2-specific imaging for the differential diagnosis of tumors and added complementary value to conventional nuclear medicine diagnosis, such as FDG PET on glycometabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangyuan Ren
- Cancer Center, Department of Radiology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Zhejiang, 310014, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hongyang Jiang
- Cancer Center, Department of Radiology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Zhejiang, 310014, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lin Shi
- Cancer Center, Department of Radiology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Zhejiang, 310014, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lan Zhang
- Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201800, China
| | - Xiao Li
- Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201800, China.
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Changhai Hospital, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Qinkang Lu
- Department of Radiology, The Affiliated People's Hospital of Ningbo University, Zhejiang, 315040, Ningbo, China.
| | - Qiang Li
- Department of Radiology, The Affiliated People's Hospital of Ningbo University, Zhejiang, 315040, Ningbo, China.
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8
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Taha BA, Al Mashhadany Y, Al-Jubouri Q, Rashid ARBA, Luo Y, Chen Z, Rustagi S, Chaudhary V, Arsad N. Next-generation nanophotonic-enabled biosensors for intelligent diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 variants. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 880:163333. [PMID: 37028663 PMCID: PMC10076079 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
Constantly mutating SARS-CoV-2 is a global concern resulting in COVID-19 infectious waves from time to time in different regions, challenging present-day diagnostics and therapeutics. Early-stage point-of-care diagnostic (POC) biosensors are a crucial vector for the timely management of morbidity and mortalities caused due to COVID-19. The state-of-the-art SARS-CoV-2 biosensors depend upon developing a single platform for its diverse variants/biomarkers, enabling precise detection and monitoring. Nanophotonic-enabled biosensors have emerged as 'one platform' to diagnose COVID-19, addressing the concern of constant viral mutation. This review assesses the evolution of current and future variants of the SARS-CoV-2 and critically summarizes the current state of biosensor approaches for detecting SARS-CoV-2 variants/biomarkers employing nanophotonic-enabled diagnostics. It discusses the integration of modern-age technologies, including artificial intelligence, machine learning and 5G communication with nanophotonic biosensors for intelligent COVID-19 monitoring and management. It also highlights the challenges and potential opportunities for developing intelligent biosensors for diagnosing future SARS-CoV-2 variants. This review will guide future research and development on nano-enabled intelligent photonic-biosensor strategies for early-stage diagnosing of highly infectious diseases to prevent repeated outbreaks and save associated human mortalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bakr Ahmed Taha
- Photonics Technology Laboratory, Department of Electrical, Electronic and Systems Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia UKM, 43600 Bangi, Malaysia.
| | - Yousif Al Mashhadany
- Department of Electrical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Anbar, Anbar 00964, Iraq
| | - Qussay Al-Jubouri
- Department of Communication Engineering, University of Technology, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Affa Rozana Bt Abdul Rashid
- Faculty of Science and Technology, University Sains Islam Malaysia, Bandar Baru Nilai, 71800 Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
| | - Yunhan Luo
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Optical Fiber Sensing and Communications, Department of Optoelectronic Engineering, College of Science and Engineering, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Zhe Chen
- Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Information and Sensing Technologies of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Jinan University Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Sarvesh Rustagi
- School of Applied and Life Sciences, Uttaranchal University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Vishal Chaudhary
- Department of Physics, Bhagini Nivedita College, University of Delhi, New Delhi 110045, India.
| | - Norhana Arsad
- Photonics Technology Laboratory, Department of Electrical, Electronic and Systems Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia UKM, 43600 Bangi, Malaysia.
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Romagnoli A, D'Agostino M, Pavoni E, Ardiccioni C, Motta S, Crippa P, Biagetti G, Notarstefano V, Rexha J, Perta N, Barocci S, Costabile BK, Colasurdo G, Caucci S, Mencarelli D, Turchetti C, Farina M, Pierantoni L, La Teana A, Al Hadi R, Cicconardi F, Chinappi M, Trucchi E, Mancia F, Menzo S, Morozzo Della Rocca B, D'Annessa I, Di Marino D. SARS-CoV-2 multi-variant rapid detector based on graphene transistor functionalized with an engineered dimeric ACE2 receptor. NANO TODAY 2023; 48:101729. [PMID: 36536857 PMCID: PMC9750890 DOI: 10.1016/j.nantod.2022.101729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/11/2022] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Reliable point-of-care (POC) rapid tests are crucial to detect infection and contain the spread of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The emergence of several variants of concern (VOC) can reduce binding affinity to diagnostic antibodies, limiting the efficacy of the currently adopted tests, while showing unaltered or increased affinity for the host receptor, angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). We present a graphene field-effect transistor (gFET) biosensor design, which exploits the Spike-ACE2 interaction, the crucial step for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Extensive computational analyses show that a chimeric ACE2-Fragment crystallizable (ACE2-Fc) construct mimics the native receptor dimeric conformation. ACE2-Fc functionalized gFET allows in vitro detection of the trimeric Spike protein, outperforming functionalization with a diagnostic antibody or with the soluble ACE2 portion, resulting in a sensitivity of 20 pg/mL. Our miniaturized POC biosensor successfully detects B.1.610 (pre-VOC), Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, Omicron (i.e., BA.1, BA.2, BA.4, BA.5, BA.2.75 and BQ.1) variants in isolated viruses and patient's clinical nasopharyngeal swabs. The biosensor reached a Limit Of Detection (LOD) of 65 cps/mL in swab specimens of Omicron BA.5. Our approach paves the way for a new and reusable class of highly sensitive, rapid and variant-robust SARS-CoV-2 detection systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Romagnoli
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
- National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), Palermo, Italy
- New York-Marche Structural Biology Center (NY-MaSBiC), Polytechnic University of Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
| | - Mattia D'Agostino
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
| | - Eleonora Pavoni
- Department of Information Engineering, Polytechnic University of Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
| | - Chiara Ardiccioni
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
- New York-Marche Structural Biology Center (NY-MaSBiC), Polytechnic University of Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
| | - Stefano Motta
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Crippa
- Department of Information Engineering, Polytechnic University of Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
| | - Giorgio Biagetti
- Department of Information Engineering, Polytechnic University of Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
| | - Valentina Notarstefano
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
| | - Jesmina Rexha
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
- National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), Palermo, Italy
| | - Nunzio Perta
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
- National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), Palermo, Italy
| | - Simone Barocci
- Department of Clinical Pathology, ASUR Marche AV1, Urbino, PU, Italy
| | - Brianna K Costabile
- Department of Physiology and Cellular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | | | - Sara Caucci
- Virology Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Polytechnic University of Marche, Torrette, 60126 Ancona, Italy
| | - Davide Mencarelli
- Department of Information Engineering, Polytechnic University of Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
| | - Claudio Turchetti
- Department of Information Engineering, Polytechnic University of Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
| | - Marco Farina
- Department of Information Engineering, Polytechnic University of Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
| | - Luca Pierantoni
- Department of Information Engineering, Polytechnic University of Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
| | - Anna La Teana
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
- National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), Palermo, Italy
- New York-Marche Structural Biology Center (NY-MaSBiC), Polytechnic University of Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
| | - Richard Al Hadi
- Alcatera Inc., 1401 Westwood Blvd Suite 280, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA
| | - Francesco Cicconardi
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Life Sciences Building, 24 Tyndall Ave, Bristol BS8 1TQ, UK
| | - Mauro Chinappi
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via del Politecnico 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Emiliano Trucchi
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
| | - Filippo Mancia
- Department of Physiology and Cellular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Stefano Menzo
- Virology Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Polytechnic University of Marche, Torrette, 60126 Ancona, Italy
| | - Blasco Morozzo Della Rocca
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Ilda D'Annessa
- Institute of Chemical Science and Technologies, SCITEC-CNR, Via Mario Bianco 9, 20131 Milan, Italy
| | - Daniele Di Marino
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
- National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), Palermo, Italy
- New York-Marche Structural Biology Center (NY-MaSBiC), Polytechnic University of Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
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