Highly Sensitive Immunoresistive Sensor for Point-Of-Care Screening for COVID-19

Abstract

Current point-of-care (POC) screening of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) requires further improvements to achieve highly sensitive, rapid, and inexpensive detection. Here we describe an immunoresistive sensor on a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film for simple, inexpensive, and highly sensitive COVID-19 screening. The sensor is composed of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) functionalized with monoclonal antibodies that bind to the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2. Silver electrodes are silkscreen-printed on SWCNTs to reduce contact resistance. We determine the SARS-CoV-2 status via the resistance ratio of control- and SARS-CoV-2 sensor electrodes. A combined measurement of two adjacent sensors enhances the sensitivity and specificity of the detection protocol. The lower limit of detection (LLD) of the SWCNT assay is 350 genome equivalents/mL. The developed SWCNT sensor shows 100% sensitivity and 90% specificity in clinical sample testing. Further, our device adds benefits of a small form factor, simple operation, low power requirement, and low assay cost. This highly sensitive film sensor will facilitate rapid COVID-19 screening and expedite the development of POC screening platforms.

The Emergence of Carbon Nanomaterials as Effective Nano-Avenues to Fight against COVID-19

“…In the presence of the virus, a redox-tagged DNA aptamer that was coupled with SPE gets folded, reducing the current flowing between the redox tag and the electrode surface and enabling detection. Li et al [ 33 ] constructed an immunoresistive sensor for the detection of both the alpha and delta forms of SARS-CoV-2 in nasal swab samples using monoclonal antibody-functionalized CNT. To reduce the contact resistance, silver electrodes were silkscreened-printed on CNTs before the biosensor was constructed on a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film.…”

COVID‐19: Prevention, Detection, and Treatment by Using Carbon Nanotubes‐Based Materials

“…[27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34] For example, polymerfunctionalized CNTs have been employed as components of PPE [13] and biosensors. [28,31,35] Likewise, silicon has been proposed for drug delivery, by modification with CNTs [36] to deliver the antiviral Remdesivir to treat COVID-19 patients at early infection stages. [37] In addition, modification by doping with metals has also been studied for PPE [38] applications.…”

“…CNTs modification is typically achieved using bioactive components, including chemotherapeutic compounds, proteins, and biocompatible polymers [27–34] . For example, polymer‐functionalized CNTs have been employed as components of PPE [13] and biosensors [28,31,35] . Likewise, silicon has been proposed for drug delivery, by modification with CNTs [36] to deliver the antiviral Remdesivir to treat COVID‐19 patients at early infection stages [37] .…”

Decadal Journey of CNT-Based Analytical Biosensing Platforms in the Detection of Human Viruses

“…In the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein S1, the concentration-dependent folding of a DNA aptamer occurred, which resulted in a change in the amperometric signal with an LOD of 7 nM. Monoclonal antibodies were employed for the functionalization of SWCNT by Li et al [ 22 ], to develop an extremely sensitive immuno-resistive sensor for the detection of SARS-CoV-2. To minimize the contact resistance, silver electrodes were screen-printed onto SWCNTs, and the complete arrangement was mounted on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film.…”