Optical Method for the Detection of Viral RNA Using an Optical Fiber Sensor

This study introduces a fiber-optic sensor functionalized with a sensing probe for SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection. The sensor employs a microsphere design at the sensor's tip, enhanced with a gold layer and oligonucleotide probes, to achieve high sensitivity and specificity. Utilizing optical interference, the system enables near real-time monitoring of viral RNA at concentrations as low as 10^-12 M. While the sensor's sensitivity is lower than that of the RT-PCR, it excels in speed, portability, and scalability, making it suitable for point-of-care diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and large-scale screening. The integration of fiber-optic sensors with advanced analytical systems further enhances their utility in preventing virus transmission and contamination, highlighting their role in global efforts to combat infectious diseases.