Rapid detection of intact SARS-CoV-2 using designer DNA Nets and a pocket-size smartphone-linked fluorimeter.
Biosens Bioelectron
; 229: 115228, 2023 Jun 01.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2268244
ABSTRACT
Rapid, sensitive, and inexpensive point-of-care diagnosis is vital to controlling highly infectious diseases, including COVID-19. Here, we report the design and characterization of a compact fluorimeter called a "Virus Pod" (V-Pod) that enables sensitive self-testing of SARS-CoV-2 viral load in saliva. The rechargeable battery-operated device reads the fluorescence generated by Designer DNA Nanostructures (DDN) when they specifically interact with intact SARS-CoV-2 virions. DDNs are net-shaped self-assembling nucleic acid constructs that provide an array of highly specific aptamer-fluorescent quencher duplexes located at precise positions that match the pattern of spike proteins. The room-temperature assay is performed by mixing the test sample with DNA Net sensor in a conventional PCR tube and placing the tube into the V-Pod. Fluorescent signals are generated when multivalent aptamer-spike binding releases fluorescent quenchers, resulting in rapid (5-min) generation of dose-dependent output. The V-Pod instrument performs laser excitation, fluorescence intensity quantitation, and secure transmission of data to an App via Bluetooth™. We show that the V-Pod and DNA Net assay achieves clinically relevant detection limits of 3.92 × 103 viral-genome-copies/mL for pseudo-typed wild-type SARS-CoV-2 and 1.84 × 104, 9.69 × 104, 6.99 × 104 viral-genome-copies/mL for pathogenic Delta, Omicron, and D614G variants, representing sensitivity similar to laboratory-based PCR. The pocket-sized instrument (â¼$294), inexpensive reagent-cost/test ($1.26), single-step, rapid sample-to-answer, and quantitative output represent a capability that is compatible with the needs of frequent self-testing in a consumer-friendly format that can link with medical service systems such as healthcare providers, contact tracing, and infectious disease reporting.
Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Biosensing Techniques
/
COVID-19
Type of study:
Diagnostic study
/
Prognostic study
Topics:
Variants
Limits:
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
Biosens Bioelectron
Journal subject:
Biotechnology
Year:
2023
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
J.bios.2023.115228
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