Sensing of COVID‐19 Antibodies in Seconds via Aerosol Jet Nanoprinted Reduced‐Graphene‐Oxide‐Coated 3D Electrodes

Abstract

Rapid diagnosis is critical for the treatment and prevention of diseases. An advanced nanomaterial‐based biosensing platform that detects COVID‐19 antibodies within seconds is reported. The biosensing platform is created by 3D nanoprinting of three‐dimensional electrodes, coating the electrodes by nanoflakes of reduced‐graphene‐oxide (rGO), and immobilizing specific viral antigens on the rGO nanoflakes. The electrode is then integrated with a microfluidic device and used in a standard electrochemical cell. When antibodies are introduced on the electrode surface, they selectively bind with the antigens, changing the impedance of the electrical circuit which is detected via impedance spectroscopy. Antibodies to SARS‐CoV‐2 spike S1 protein and its receptor‐binding‐domain (RBD) are detected at a limit‐of‐detection of 2.8 × 10−15 and 16.9 × 10−15 m, respectively, and read by a smartphone‐based user interface. The sensor can be regenerated within a minute by introducing a low‐pH chemistry that elutes the antibodies from the antigens, allowing successive sensing of test samples using the same sensor. Sensing of S1 and RBD antibodies is specific, which cross‐reacts neither with other antibodies such as RBD, S1, and nucleocapsid antibody nor with proteins such as interleukin‐6. The proposed sensing platform could also be useful to detect biomarkers for other infectious agents such as Ebola, HIV, and Zika.

Point-of-care testing detection methods for COVID-19

“…Ali et al created a three-dimensional reduced-graphene-oxide electrode and integrated with a microfluidic device as an electrochemical sensor. 200 Such 3D electrodes were functionalized with viral antigens to enable sensitive detection of antibodies specific to SARS-CoV-2, with the detection limit down to 2.8 × 10 −15 M. Fabiani et al applied the magnetic beads with the carbon black-based electrode to realize a miniaturized electrochemical sensor for SARS-CoV-2 detection (Fig. 15a).…”

Recent Progress in Nanotechnology for COVID-19 Prevention, Diagnostics and Treatment

“…Moreover, a nanomaterial-based biosensor that could rapidly detect COVID-19 antibodies was developed [ 104 ]. The biosensing platform was made using 3D bioprinted electrodes coupled with nanoflakes of reduced-graphene-oxide (rGO).…”

Fabrication of aerosol-based nanoparticles and their applications in biomedical fields

“…The same strain of virus was also killed using a carbon nanotube-coated glass fiber prepared via an electro-aerodynamic deposition technique under ambient conditions (Park and Hwang 2014 ). Recently, specific viral antigens immobilized on reduced GO biosensors via the aerosol jet nano-printing technique were used to detect COVID‐19 antibodies within seconds (Ali et al 2020 ). It was also shown that Cu can inhibit the replication of SARS-CoV-2, MERS, or influenza and Cu oxide can be used in face masks, protective clothing, and filters to prevent bacterial and viral transmission (Cortes and Zuñiga 2020 ).…”