A heparin-functionalized carbon nanotube-based affinity biosensor for dengue virus

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Nanotechnology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Dengue virus (DENV) is a significant arbovirus causing disease in tropical/subtropical regions.
• DENV infection can lead to severe hemorrhagic disorders and mortality in humans and primates.
• Current diagnostic methods may lack the sensitivity or speed required for timely intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel, low-cost, label-free, and rapid electronic biosensor for whole Dengue virus detection.
• To functionalize a single-walled carbon nanotube network chemiresistive transducer with heparin for DENV biorecognition.
• To evaluate the biosensor's sensitivity and applicability in clinically relevant samples.

Main Methods:

• A chemiresistive biosensor was fabricated using a single-walled carbon nanotube network.
• The transducer surface was functionalized with heparin as the primary biorecognition element.
• The biosensor's performance was tested for Dengue virus detection in various sample matrices, including viral culture supernatant.

Main Results:

• The heparin-functionalized biosensor demonstrated ultra-sensitive and rapid detection of whole Dengue virus (DENV).
• Detection sensitivity was comparable in viral culture supernatant and phosphate buffer, even with biological contaminants.
• The biosensor achieved sensitivity within the clinically relevant range for human and infected mosquito samples.

Conclusions:

• This novel heparin-based electronic biosensor offers a promising platform for Dengue virus detection.
• The technology has potential for low-cost, point-of-care diagnostics, improving Dengue infection management.
• This approach moves beyond traditional antibody-based methods for DENV detection.