A Review on the Development of Gold and Silver Nanoparticles-Based Biosensor as a Detection Strategy of Emerging and Pathogenic RNA Virus

Abstract

The emergence of highly pathogenic and deadly human coronaviruses, namely SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV within the past two decades and currently SARS-CoV-2, have resulted in millions of human death across the world. In addition, other human viral diseases, such as mosquito borne-viral diseases and blood-borne viruses, also contribute to a higher risk of death in severe cases. To date, there is no specific drug or medicine available to cure these human viral diseases. Therefore, the early and rapid detection without compromising the test accuracy is required in order to provide a suitable treatment for the containment of the diseases. Recently, nanomaterials-based biosensors have attracted enormous interest due to their biological activities and unique sensing properties, which enable the detection of analytes such as nucleic acid (DNA or RNA), aptamers, and proteins in clinical samples. In addition, the advances of nanotechnologies also enable the development of miniaturized detection systems for point-of-care (POC) biosensors, which could be a new strategy for detecting human viral diseases. The detection of virus-specific genes by using single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) probes has become a particular interest due to their higher sensitivity and specificity compared to immunological methods based on antibody or antigen for early diagnosis of viral infection. Hence, this review has been developed to provide an overview of the current development of nanoparticles-based biosensors that target pathogenic RNA viruses, toward a robust and effective detection strategy of the existing or newly emerging human viral diseases such as SARS-CoV-2. This review emphasizes the nanoparticles-based biosensors developed using noble metals such as gold (Au) and silver (Ag) by virtue of their powerful characteristics as a signal amplifier or enhancer in the detection of nucleic acid. In addition, this review provides a broad knowledge with respect to several analytical methods involved in the development of nanoparticles-based biosensors for the detection of viral nucleic acid using both optical and electrochemical techniques.

SARS-CoV-2 Detection Methods

“…They can be synthesized from materials such as gold, silver, carbon, or silica. Depending on the type of material, they can exhibit photoluminescence, magnetic capability, low toxicity, high stability, or good biocompatibility and conductance [45]. Another advantage is the possibility to chemically modify them in order to make conjugates with either nucleic acid probes, viral proteins, antibodies, or other ligands.…”

Contribution of magnetic particles in molecular diagnosis of human viruses

“… Nanoparticles Properties Detection technique, system Type of virus Detection level Limit of detection Ref Quantum Dots (QDs) The broad range of absorption, extended fluorescence lifetime complex staining, photoluminescence, and photobleaching resistant Dual-stain imaging technique, a system based on QDs-DNA and FRET Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B Virus fg/pM 17.02 fg/mL [ 39 , 40 ] Carbon Nanomaterials (Carbon nanotubes, Silica nanoparticles) High sensitivity and selectivity due to their high surface area. Electrochemical or Optical-based detection systems Hepatitis B Virus, Papillomavirus fM/pM 3.4 PFU/mL, 8.6 pM [ [41] , [42] , [43] , [44] ] Silver Nanoparticles Fluorescent characteristics Optical-based detection system Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Hepatitis B Virus pM/nM 4–8 nM [ [45] , [46] , [47] ] Aluminum, Copper, and Zinc Nanoparticles Nanoporous morphology, catalytic properties Optical, Electrochemical- based detection system Dengue virus pM/nM 7 pM, 10 5 –10 7 copies mL−17.4 μM, [ [48] , [49] , [50] , [51] ] Gold Nanoparticles Optical and electrical properties Fluorometric, surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), light-scattering, colorimetric, and electrochemical techniques Rift Valley Fever Virus, Hantaa...…”

A Review on Current Designation of Metallic Nanocomposite Hydrogel in Biomedical Applications

“…Thus, it is crucial that a rapid, early, accurate, cost-effective, and on-site diagnosis be invented to accommodate the spread of such viral diseases, including via nanotechnology. Ibrahim et al [ 7 ] reviewed the effectiveness of gold (Au) and silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) as biosensors in the detection of pathogenic RNA viruses. According to them, these NPs possess excellent characteristics, such as good biocompatibility, broad structural variety, and notable bio-imitative behaviours, for the efficient detection of pathogens.…”