Peptide-Based Capture of Chikungunya Virus E2 Protein Using Porous Silicon Biosensor

The detection of pathogens presents specific challenges in ensuring that biosensors remain operable despite exposure to elevated temperatures or other extreme conditions. The most vulnerable component of a biosensor is typically the bioreceptor. Accordingly, the robustness of peptides as bioreceptors offers improved stability and reliability toward harsh environments compared to monoclonal antibodies that may lose their ability to bind target molecules after such exposures. Here, we demonstrate peptide-based capture of the Chikungunya virus E2 protein in a porous silicon microcavity biosensor at room temperature and after exposure of the peptide-functionalized biosensor to high temperature. Contact angle measurements, attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectra, and optical reflectance measurements confirm peptide functionalization and selective E2 protein capture. This work opens the door for other pathogenic biomarker detection using peptide-based capture agents on porous silicon and other surface-based sensor platforms.