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Published on: February 1, 2022
COVID-19 Spike Protein Induced Phononic Modification in Antibody-Coupled Graphene for Viral Detection Application
Ngoc Hoang Lan Nguyen1, Sungjoon Kim1, Garrett Lindemann2
1Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, 929 W. Taylor Street, Chicago, Illinois 60607, United States.
Abstract:
With an incubation time of about 5 days, early diagnosis of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is critical to control the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) that killed more than 3 million people in its first 1.5 years. Here, we report on the modification of the dopant density and the phononic energy of antibody-coupled graphene when it interfaces with SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. This graphene chemeo-phononic system was able to detect SARS-CoV-2 spike protein at the limit of detection of ∼3.75 and ∼1 fg/mL in artificial saliva and phosphate-buffered saline, respectively. It also exhibited selectivity over proteins in saliva and MERS-CoV spike protein. Since the change in graphene phononics is monitored instead of the phononic signature of the analyte, this optical platform can be replicated for other COVID variants and specific-binding-based biodetection applications.
Insights
A novel graphene biosensor detects SARS-CoV-2 spike protein with high sensitivity. This rapid diagnostic tool offers potential for early COVID-19 detection and monitoring across variants.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Biosensing
- Virology
Background:
- Early diagnosis of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is critical for controlling the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
- Existing diagnostic methods can have limitations in terms of speed, sensitivity, or scope.
- The need for rapid, sensitive, and specific detection of SARS-CoV-2 antigens remains high.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a highly sensitive and selective graphene-based biosensor for detecting SARS-CoV-2 spike protein.
- To investigate the modification of graphene's dopant density and phononic energy upon interaction with the target analyte.
- To establish an optical platform for rapid biodetection applicable to various viral strains.
Main Methods:
- Antibody-coupled graphene was engineered to interface with SARS-CoV-2 spike protein.
- Changes in graphene's dopant density and phononic energy were monitored as the detection mechanism.
- The system's performance was evaluated using artificial saliva and phosphate-buffered saline (PBS).
Main Results:
- The graphene chemeo-phononic system achieved a limit of detection of approximately 3.75 fg/mL in artificial saliva and 1 fg/mL in PBS.
- The biosensor demonstrated selectivity, distinguishing SARS-CoV-2 spike protein from other proteins in saliva and MERS-CoV spike protein.
- The detection relies on monitoring changes in graphene phononics, not the analyte's signature.
Conclusions:
- The developed graphene biosensor offers a highly sensitive and selective method for detecting SARS-CoV-2 spike protein.
- This optical platform's design allows for adaptability to detect other COVID-19 variants and various specific-binding targets.
- The technology holds promise for rapid, point-of-care diagnostics and broader biodetection applications.
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