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Updated: Jun 26, 2025
Author Spotlight: Advancing Antiviral Strategies Through Novel Immunocapture and Mass Spectrometry Techniques
Published on: January 12, 2024
Dual structure-switching aptamer-mediated signal amplification cascade for SARS-CoV-2 detection
Jaewoo Lim1, Seong Uk Son2, Jisun Ki3
1Bionanotechnology Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), 125 Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea; Medical Device Development Center, Osong Medical Innovation Foundation, 123 Osongsaengmyeong-ro, Chungcheongbuk-do, 28160, Republic of Korea.
A novel aptamer-based assay rapidly detects SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein without enzymes or pre-processing. This sensitive method offers quick, accurate detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 in clinical samples.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Molecular Diagnostics
- Biosensing
Background:
- The novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic presents significant global health and economic challenges.
- Accurate and rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2 is crucial for disease control and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a one-step, highly sensitive aptamer-mediated assay for detecting SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein.
- To create a rapid diagnostic tool that bypasses complex pre-processing steps and enzymatic amplification.
Main Methods:
- A dual-structure-switching aptamer system with fuel DNA was designed for signal amplification.
- The assay utilizes a cascade of strand hybridization and displacement to generate fluorescence.
- The system operates at room temperature, requiring no enzymes or sample pre-treatment like viral isolation or gene extraction.
Main Results:
- The aptamer assay achieved sensitive detection of SARS-CoV-2 down to 1.0 PFU/assay within 30 minutes.
- The system demonstrated specificity, distinguishing SARS-CoV-2 from other respiratory viruses.
- Clinical validation using 35 nasopharyngeal samples showed accurate results, correctly identifying 25 positive and 10 negative cases compared to quantitative PCR.
Conclusions:
- The proposed aptamer-based amplification cascade offers a rapid, sensitive, and enzyme-free method for SARS-CoV-2 detection.
- This technology has potential for detecting emerging pathogens and biomarkers in liquid samples.
- The DNA and fluorophore-based system is suitable for integration into liquid biopsy platforms for disease diagnosis.
