Ultrasensitive MERS-CoV Biosensor Composed of Multi-functional DNA 3 Way-Junction Probe based on Electrochemical-Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (EC-SERS) Dual Detection System

Abstract

Professor Taek Lee, associate professor, Biomedical Engineering Lab, Department of Chemical Engineering, Kwangwoon University, South Korea, is working on the development of biosensors and in vitro diagnostic devices, nucleic acid nanoengineering-based therapy and biomolecular-based bioelectronics for computation. Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is the novel coronavirus that causes Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). Lee is investigating the potential of aptamers to be used in the detection of viruses such as MERS-CoV. This could assist with diagnosis and treatment and protect peoples' health. In a world first, Lee and the team developed a MERS aptamer using the SELEX technique and then created the world's first MERS-nanovesicle biosensor composed of multi-functional DNA aptamer/graphene-MoS2 nanocomposite based on electrochemical and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy. The biosensor can detect the virus in a buffer solution and in saliva and the researchers believe it could be applicable to the detection of other viruses such as COVID-19. So far, the team has developed 30 types of aptamer that have potential to be used in biosensors and the researchers hope their work to establish a rapid virus detection system using fast SELEX and biosensor fabrication techniques will benefit health and wellbeing.