Rapid and Sensitive Detection of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 in Label-Free Manner Using Micromechanical Sensors.

Dalal A Aloraini,Abdullah N Alodhayb,Qura Tul Ain,Amal Alanazi,Aljawhara H Almuqrin

doi:10.3390/s21134439

Abstract

Coronavirus (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has been identified as a deadly pandemic. The genomic analysis of SARS-CoV-2 is performed using a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique for identifying viral ribonucleic acid (RNA) in infected patients. However, the RT-PCR diagnostic technique is manually laborious and expensive; therefore, it is not readily accessible in every laboratory. Methodological simplification is crucial to combat the ongoing pandemic by introducing quick, efficient, and affordable diagnostic methods. Here, we report how microcantilever sensors offer promising opportunities for rapid COVID-19 detection. Our first attempt was to capture the single-stranded complementary DNA of SARS-CoV-2 through DNA hybridization. Therefore, the microcantilever surface was immobilized with an oligonucleotide probe and detected using complementary target DNA hybridization by a shift in microcantilever resonance frequency. Our results show that microcantilever sensors can discriminate between complementary and noncomplementary target DNA on a micro to nanoscale. Additionally, the microcantilever sensors’ aptitude toward partial complementary DNA determines their potential to identify new variants of coronavirus. Therefore, microcantilever sensing could be a vital tool in the effort to extinguish the spreading COVID-19 pandemic.

Highlights

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which was identified in late 2019, has led to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic [1,2]
reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing is based on detecting the specific viral ribonucleic acid (RNA) sequence responsible for COVID-19
The presented method does not require DNA amplification, which is a major bottleneck in RT-PCR testing

Summary

Introduction

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which was identified in late 2019, has led to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic [1,2]. The human-to-human transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2 substantially contributes toward worsening the ongoing pandemic [3]. Despite a global health emergency declared by the World Health Organization, approximately 2.9 million deaths because of the SARS-CoV-2 infection have been reported so far [4,5]. Real-time fluorescence reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing is a reliable diagnostic method for detecting COVID-19 [6]. Because of its high sensitivity, large dynamic range, and specificity, RT-PCR testing is the mainstay of COVID-19 diagnosis. RT-PCR testing is based on detecting the specific viral ribonucleic acid (RNA) sequence responsible for COVID-19. The genome of SARS-CoV2 is identified as positive-sense single-strand nonsegmented RNA (++ssRNA) having

Methods

Results

Conclusion