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Ultra-low detection of SARS-CoV-2 Virus Like Particles (VLPs) with functionalized gold plasmonic nanoresonator array
Dipanjan Nandi1, Jiaxin Fan1, Seongdae Kang2
1Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, T6G 1H9, Alberta, Canada.
Biomedical Microdevices
|October 27, 2025
Summary
This study optimized a gold nanoresonator sensor for detecting SARS-CoV-2. The localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) sensor achieved high sensitivity for virus detection.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Biosensing
- Plasmonics
Background:
- Localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) sensors offer label-free detection for various applications.
- Detecting small bioanalytes like viruses requires localized plasmonic fields over larger areas.
Purpose of the Study:
- To optimize and fabricate a leaky gold nanoresonator platform for SARS-CoV-2 detection.
- To achieve uniform sensitivity across a 100 μm × 100 μm active sensing area.
Main Methods:
- Optimized gold nanoresonator array design for 100 nm bioanalyte detection.
- Fabricated and tested the sensor platform using polystyrene beads and SARS-CoV-2 detection.
- Functionalized nanoresonators with anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies.
Main Results:
- Optimized design demonstrated sensitivity of 17.05 ± 3.25 nm/decade with 100 nm beads.
- Achieved a detection sensitivity of 1.32 ± 0.08 nm/decade for SARS-CoV-2.
- Established a limit of detection of 1 VLP/μL for SARS-CoV-2.
Conclusions:
- The developed leaky gold nanoresonator sensor platform shows high potential for sensitive SARS-CoV-2 detection.
- The sensor design ensures uniform sensitivity over a significant active sensing area.
- This LSPR-based approach is promising for rapid and accurate viral diagnostics.
