Innovative strategies for enhancing AuNP-based point-of-care diagnostics: Focus on coronavirus detection

Area of Science:

• Nanotechnology
• Biomedical Engineering
• Infectious Disease Diagnostics

Background:

• Pathogenic coronaviruses like SARS-CoV-2 pose significant global health threats.
• Accurate and rapid diagnostics are vital for controlling viral spread and reducing casualties.
• Limitations of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) highlight the need for alternative diagnostic methods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the advantages of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) for point-of-care diagnostic technologies.
• To explore AuNP applications in visual colorimetry and lateral flow assays (LFAs) for COVID-19 diagnosis.
• To discuss methods for enhancing LFA sensitivity and specificity, including smartphone integration.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on gold nanoparticle biosensors for infectious disease detection.
• Analysis of techniques for signal enhancement in lateral flow assays.
• Exploration of smartphone-based result interpretation for diagnostic assays.

Main Results:

• Gold nanoparticles exhibit excellent optical properties and stability, making them suitable for biosensors.
• AuNPs can be effectively utilized in visual colorimetry and lateral flow assays for COVID-19 detection.
• Signal enhancement strategies and smartphone integration can improve LFA sensitivity, specificity, and objectivity.

Conclusions:

• Gold nanoparticle-based biosensors offer a promising alternative to traditional methods for rapid POC diagnostics.
• Further development of AuNP biosensors can aid in managing current and future infectious disease outbreaks.
• Smartphone integration enhances the accessibility and reliability of POC diagnostic results.