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Updated: Jul 27, 2026
High-throughput Detection Method for Influenza Virus
Published on: February 4, 2012
Cellulose test strips modified with virus-like particles: Advancing viral immunity screening technologies
Claudia Pereira1, Cristina E A Sousa2, Daniela Mateus3
1CIETI - LabRISE-School of Engineering, Polytechnic of Porto, R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 431 4249-015 Porto, Portugal; HE-FP-Hospital Fernando Pessoa, CECLIN-Center of Clinical Studies 4420-096 Gondomar, Portugal; FP-I3ID-Instituto de Investigação, Inovação e Desenvolvimento, FP-BHS-Biomedical and Health Sciences, Portugal; FCS-Faculty of Health Sciences, Fernando Pessoa University 4249-004 Porto, Portugal; I3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
Abstract:
The COVID-19 pandemic has driven immunity acquisition through infection or vaccination, leading to SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. This study introduces a colorimetric biosensor for COVID-19 immunity screening using Virus-Like Particles (VLPs) with SARS-CoV-2 spike protein motifs on a cellulose carrier. The cellulose was chemically modified with DSS to secure the VLPs, verified via FTIR. Detection utilized the Bradford reagent, with RGB color analysis via ImageJ and smartphone images. The test strips demonstrated high sensitivity (R > 0.998) across a 10-40 µg/mL range in buffer and serum, with 30-minute incubation. They also exhibited selectivity against interferents like albumin, glucose, and urea. Success with undiluted samples highlights clinical potential. This broad-spectrum, REASSURED-compliant method is promising for global testing applications.
