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Updated: Jun 19, 2026
13:39
Optical Trapping of Nanoparticles
Published on: January 15, 2013
22.4K
Solid-Phase Optical Sensing Techniques for Sensitive Virus Detection
Elif Seymour1,2, Fulya Ekiz Kanik3, Sinem Diken Gür4
1Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON M4P 1R2, Canada.
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)
|June 10, 2023
Summary
Rapid, sensitive biosensors offer a faster alternative to Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) for diagnosing viral infections. Optical sensing techniques, like the single-particle interferometric reflectance imaging sensor (SP-IRIS), show promise for quick and accurate virus detection.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Infectious Disease Diagnostics
Background:
- Viral infections pose significant public health and economic threats, necessitating rapid and accurate diagnostic methods.
- Current Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)-based virus detection methods are time-consuming and require specialized laboratory equipment, highlighting the need for advanced alternatives.
- Biosensors offer potential for rapid, sensitive, and high-throughput viral diagnostics, crucial for disease control and mitigating societal impacts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review solid-phase optical sensing techniques for virus detection.
- To highlight the advantages of optical biosensors for rapid and sensitive viral diagnostics.
- To present the single-particle interferometric reflectance imaging sensor (SP-IRIS) as a novel digital virus detection platform.
Main Methods:
- Review of various solid-phase optical sensing techniques including fluorescence, Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR), Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS), optical resonators, and interferometry.
- Focus on interferometry-based biosensors, specifically the single-particle interferometric reflectance imaging sensor (SP-IRIS).
- Demonstration of SP-IRIS for digital virus detection by visualizing single nanoparticles.
Main Results:
- Optical sensing techniques offer high sensitivity and direct readout for virus detection.
- The SP-IRIS sensor enables visualization of single nanoparticles, facilitating digital detection.
- Interferometry-based platforms show significant potential for advanced viral diagnostics.
Conclusions:
- Solid-phase optical biosensors represent a promising advancement in viral diagnostics, overcoming limitations of traditional methods.
- The SP-IRIS platform offers a novel approach for sensitive and rapid digital virus detection.
- Further development of these optical biosensing technologies is essential for effective public health surveillance and pandemic response.
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