Biosensors as a future diagnostic approach for COVID-19

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology and Biomedical Engineering
• Analytical Chemistry
• Infectious Disease Diagnostics

Background:

• Biosensors are crucial for real-time detection of analytes in clinical diagnostics, food safety, and environmental monitoring.
• Current biosensor technologies offer rapid and effective tools for both qualitative and quantitative analysis of infectious diseases.
• Viral detection remains a significant challenge, necessitating advanced diagnostic tools.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and develop biosensors utilizing various techniques for enhanced viral detection.
• To elucidate the mechanisms, advantages, and disadvantages of prevalent optical and electrochemical biosensors for virus identification.
• To recommend efficient, simple, low-cost, and rapid detection methods for SARS-CoV-2.

Main Methods:

• Exploration of optical biosensor techniques, including Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) and Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR).
• Investigation of electrochemical biosensor principles and applications in viral detection.
• Development of specific detection strategies involving hemoglobin β-chain attachment and antibody-antigen binding for SARS-CoV-2.

Main Results:

• Detailed analysis of the performance characteristics of various optical and electrochemical biosensors.
• Comparative evaluation of different biosensor mechanisms for their suitability in viral detection.
• Identification of promising biosensor configurations for sensitive and specific SARS-CoV-2 detection.

Conclusions:

• Optical and electrochemical biosensors represent powerful platforms for rapid and accurate viral detection.
• Specific strategies, such as utilizing hemoglobin β-chain or antibody-antigen interactions, enhance SARS-CoV-2 detection.
• The reviewed methods offer potential for developing efficient, simple, and low-cost diagnostic tools for infectious diseases like COVID-19.