Computational sensing of herpes simplex virus using a cost-effective on-chip microscope

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Microscopy
• Virology

Background:

• Herpes simplex virus (HSV) causes herpes, a prevalent global infection.
• Accurate and rapid detection of HSV is crucial for effective management and treatment.
• Existing diagnostic methods may have limitations in resource-limited settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel computational sensing technique for specific and sensitive detection of HSV.
• To utilize a label-free approach combining immuno-specificity and physical size measurements.
• To create a compact and cost-effective platform for HSV detection.

Main Methods:

• Employed a holographic on-chip microscope and surface-functionalized substrate for specific virus capture.
• Utilized self-assembled nanolenses to enhance optical signatures and signal-to-noise ratio of captured viruses.
• Reconstructed holographic shadows and analyzed phase images for automated quantification of viral particle size.

Main Results:

• Achieved sensitive and specific detection of HSV particles through combined immuno-specificity and size-based analysis.
• Demonstrated a label-free, computational sensing approach with enhanced optical signatures.
• Validated the technique on a ~30 mm² field-of-view, enabling enumeration of HSV particles.

Conclusions:

• The developed computational sensing technique provides a sensitive and specific method for HSV detection.
• The compact and cost-effective platform is suitable for global health applications, especially in resource-limited environments.
• This approach offers a promising alternative for rapid viral diagnostics.