Low-volume label-free SARS-CoV-2 detection with the microcavity-based optical fiber sensor

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Nanotechnology
• Infectious Disease Diagnostics

Background:

• Accurate and rapid virus detection is critical for disease outbreak control.
• Developing specific biorecognition elements for novel etiological agents remains a challenge.
• Miniaturized sensors with high sensitivity and low sample volume requirements are essential for early-stage research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a real-time, highly miniaturized sensing solution for SARS-CoV-2 virus-like particles.
• To demonstrate the capability of detecting conserved regions of SARS-CoV-2 viral particles.
• To evaluate the sensor's performance with minimal sample volumes.

Main Methods:

• Development of a microcavity in-line Mach-Zehnder interferometer (μIMZI) induced in optical fiber.
• Design of an assay for detecting conserved regions of SARS-CoV-2 viral particles.
• Utilizing a sample volume as small as hundreds of picoliters.

Main Results:

• Achieved a detection limit at the single ng per mL level for SARS-CoV-2 virus-like particles.
• Demonstrated a highly miniaturized, real-time sensing solution.
• Validated the sensor's effectiveness with very small sample volumes.

Conclusions:

• The μIMZI-based optical fiber sensor offers a promising solution for rapid and sensitive SARS-CoV-2 detection.
• The miniaturized design and low sample volume requirement are advantageous for studying new viral agents.
• This technology facilitates efficient receptor-target interaction evaluation in virology research.