Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic practices broadly involve either quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR)-based nucleic amplification of viral sequences or antigen-based tests such as lateral flow assays (LFAs). Reverse transcriptase-qPCR can detect viral RNA and is the gold standard for sensitivity. However, the technique is time-consuming and requires expensive laboratory infrastructure and trained staff. LFAs are lower in cost and near real time, and because they are antigen-based, they have the potential to provide a more accurate indication of a disease state. However, LFAs are reported to have low real-world sensitivity and in most cases are only qualitative. Here, an antigen-based electrochemical aptamer sensor is presented, which has the potential to address some of these shortfalls. An aptamer, raised to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, was immobilized on a low-cost gold-coated polyester substrate adapted from the blood glucose testing industry. Clinically relevant detection levels for SARS-CoV-2 are achieved in a simple, label-free measurement format using sample incubation times as short as 15 min on nasopharyngeal swab samples. This assay can readily be optimized for mass manufacture and is compatible with a low-cost meter.
Highlights
SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic practices broadly involve either quantitative polymerase chain reaction-based nucleic amplification of viral sequences or antigen-based tests such as lateral flow assays (LFAs)
The results demonstrate the possibility of a SARS-CoV-2 biosensor that can be produced at scale, with an ultra-low reagent cost and which can be read out using established potentiostat circuits from blood glucose monitoring for low-cost, rapid, and highly sensitive diagnostics
Affinity was subsequently determined by monitoring the interaction between the truncated aptamer and the (i) SARS-CoV-2 S1 protein domain and the (ii) SARS-CoV-2 spike protein trimer
Summary
This work shows the development of a specific aptamer sequence for the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and its subsequent use for the detection of the virus from complex clinical samples. Perrine Lasserre − Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0NW, U.K.; orcid.org/0000-0001-8927-5649 Banushan Balansethupathy − Aptamer Group, York YO10. Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0NW, U.K. Ewen O. Blair − Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0NW, U.K.; Present Address: Ewen O. Hoskisson − Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences (SIPBS), University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, U.K.; orcid.org/0000-0003-4332-. W. Farmer − NHS GGC, Department of Microbiology, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow G31 2ER, United Kingdom Michael E. College of Medical Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, United Kingdom Harriet Flynn − Aptamer Group, York YO10 5NY, U.K.; Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G1 1XL, United Kingdom.
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