Monitoring and tracking infection is required in order to reduce the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), induced by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). To achieve this goal, the development and deployment of quick, accurate, and sensitive diagnostic methods are necessary. The determination of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is performed by biosensing devices, which vary according to detection methods and the biomarkers which are inducing/providing an analytical signal. RNA hybridisation, antigen-antibody affinity interaction, and a variety of other biological reactions are commonly used to generate analytical signals that can be precisely detected using electrochemical, electrochemiluminescence, optical, and other methodologies and transducers. Electrochemical biosensors, in particular, correspond to the current trend of bioanalytical process acceleration and simplification. Immunosensors are based on the determination of antigen-antibody interaction, which on some occasions can be determined in a label-free mode with sufficient sensitivity.

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Biosensors for the Determination of SARS-CoV-2 Virus and Diagnosis of COVID-19 Infection

A one-step, one-pot CRISPR nucleic acid detection platform (CRISPR-top): Application for the diagnosis of COVID-19.

COVID-19, also known as SARS-CoV-2 is a novel, respiratory virus currently plaguing humanity. Genetically, at its core, it is a single-strand positive-sense RNA virus. It is a beta-type Coronavirus and is distinct in its structure and binding mechanism compared to other types of coronaviruses. Testing for the virus remains a challenge due to the small market available for at-home detection. Currently, there are three main types of tests for biomarker detection: viral, antigen and antibody. Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) remains the gold standard for viral testing. However, the lack of quantitative detection and turnaround time for results are drawbacks. This manuscript focuses on recent advances in COVID-19 detection that have lower limits of detection and faster response times than RT-PCR testing. The advancements in sensing platforms have amplified the detection levels and provided real-time results for SARS-CoV-2 spike protein detection with limits as low as 1 fg/mL in the Graphene Field Effect Transistor (FET) sensor. Additionally, using multiple biomarkers, detection levels can achieve a specificity and sensitivity level comparable to that of PCR testing. Proper biomarker selection coupled with nano sensing detection platforms are key in the widespread use of Point of Care (POC) diagnosis in COVID-19 detection.

https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5354/8/7/98/pdf

COVID-19 Biomarkers and Advanced Sensing Technologies for Point-of-Care (POC) Diagnosis.

Herein we report the electrochemical system for the detection of specific antibodies against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) proteins in blood serum patient samples after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). For this purpose, the recombinant SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (SCoV2-rS) was covalently immobilised on the surface of the gold electrode pre-modified with mixed self-assembled monolayer (SAMmix) consisting of 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid and 6-mercapto-1-hexanol. The affinity interaction of SCoV2-rS with specific antibodies against this protein (anti-rS) was detected using two electrochemical methods: cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The anti-rS was detected with a detection limit of 2.53 nM and 1.99 nM using CV and EIS methods, respectively. The developed electrochemical immunosensor is suitable for the confirmation of COVID-19 infection or immune response in humans after vaccination. 

Towards an Electrochemical Immunosensor for the Detection of Antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein

Researchers are constantly looking to find new techniques of virus detection that are sensitive, cost-effective, and accurate. Additionally, they can be used as a point-of-care (POC) tool due to the fact that the populace is growing at a quick tempo, and epidemics are materializing greater often than ever. Electrochemiluminescence-based (ECL) biosensors for the detection of viruses have become one of the most quickly developing sensors in this field. Thus, we here focus on recent trends and developments of these sensors with regard to virus detection. Also, quantitative analysis of various viruses (e.g., Influenza virus, SARS-CoV-2, HIV, HPV, Hepatitis virus, and Zika virus) with a specific interest in Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was introduced from the perspective of the biomarker and the biological receptor immobilized on the ECL-based sensors, such as nucleic acids-based, immunosensors, and other affinity ECL biosensors. 

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trac.2022.116727

Recent trends and advancements in electrochemiluminescence biosensors for human virus detection

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was proclaimed a global pandemic in March 2020. Reducing the dissemination rate, in particular by tracking the infected people and their contacts, is the main instrument against infection spreading. Therefore, the creation and implementation of fast, reliable and responsive methods suitable for the diagnosis of COVID-19 are required. These needs can be fulfilled using affinity sensors, which differ in applied detection methods and markers that are generating analytical signals. Recently, nucleic acid hybridization, antigen-antibody interaction, and change of reactive oxygen species (ROS) level are mostly used for the generation of analytical signals, which can be accurately measured by electrochemical, optical, surface plasmon resonance, field-effect transistors, and some other methods and transducers. Electrochemical biosensors are the most consistent with the general trend towards, acceleration, and simplification of the bioanalytical process. These biosensors mostly are based on the determination of antigen-antibody interaction and are robust, sensitive, accurate, and sometimes enable label-free detection of an analyte. Along with the specification of biosensors, we also provide a brief overview of generally used testing techniques, and the description of the structure, life cycle and immune host response to SARS-CoV-2, and some deeper details of analytical signal detection principles.

Maryia Drobysh

Papers

Affinity Sensors for the Diagnosis of COVID-19