A wearable AIEgen-based lateral flow test strip for rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2 RBD protein and N protein

Abstract

Accurate and rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2 is significant for early tracing, isolating and treating infected patients, which will efficiently prevent large-scale transmission of COVID-19. Herein, two kinds of test strips for RBD and N antigens of SARS-CoV-2 are established with high sensitivity and specificity, in which AIE luminogens are utilized as reporters. Because of the high brightness and resistance of quenching properties in aqueous solution, the limit of detection can be as low as 6.9 ng/mL for RBD protein and 7.2 ng/mL for N protein. As an antigen collector, the N95 mask equipped with the test strip with excellent enrichment effect would efficiently simplify the sampling procedures. Compared with the test strip based on Au nanoparticles or FITC, the AIEgen-based test strip shows high anti-interference capacity in complex biosamples. Therefore, the AIEgen-based test strip assay could be built as a promising platform for emergency usage during the pandemic.

Aggregation-induced emission biomaterials for anti-pathogen medical applications: detecting, imaging and killing

“…Recently, Zhang et al developed a wearable lateral flow test strip based on AIEgens for rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2 RBD protein and N protein (Fig. 6) [67]. Compared with the antigen test based on colloidal gold or fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC), this testing platform provides higher sensitivity and specificity, stronger anti-inference ability, and desirable reproductivity with simple preparations.…”

AIEgens: Next Generation Signaling Source for Immunoassays?

“…Interestingly, original AIEgens, not wrapped into an encapsulation matrix to form AIE nanoparticles, can also couple with antigen/antibody directly in their molecular state. Tang’s group used TPA as the core structure and rhodamine and carboxyl groups as ligands to synthesize AIEgens (( z )-2-(5-((4′-(diphenylamino)­[1,1′-bipheny]-4-yl)­methylene)-4-oxo-2-thioxothiazolidin-3-yl) acetic acid, DBTA, Figure F) . The carboxyl group of the AIEgens was used to couple with antibody via the carbodiimide mediated coupling reaction.…”

“…Tang's group used TPA as the core structure and rhodamine and carboxyl groups as ligands to synthesize AIEgens ((z)-2-(5-((4′-(diphenylamino)[1,1′-bipheny]-4-yl)methylene)-4-oxo-2-thioxothiazolidin-3-yl) acetic acid, DBTA, Figure 2F). 58 The carboxyl group of the AIEgens was used to couple with antibody via the carbodiimide mediated coupling reaction. Using the sandwich form, the AIEgens-based LFIA could detect 6.9 ng mL −1 of receptor binding domain protein and 7.2 ng mL −1 of SARS-CoV-2 N protein.…”

Pyrene-Based AIE Active Materials for Bioimaging and Theranostics Applications

“…The AIE-active materials have been applied in ground-breaking applications, such as chemo/biosensors, hazardous detection, optoelectronic devices, therapeutics, theranostics and stimuli responsive imaging studies. [ 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ]. In particular, applications of AIE-active materials in opto-electronics, biosensors, imaging, therapeutic and theranostics are not only in great demand but also make a social impact [ 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 ].…”

“…Similarly, the AIE of pyrene-based small molecules can be utilized for in vivo/in vitro imaging applications [ 35 ]. There are already many reviews on the aggregation-induced emission of several reported molecules in optoelectronic, bioimaging and theranostics [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ]. However, reviews on the pyrene-based AIE-active materials for bioimaging and theranostics applications are not readily available and will be delivered in this article (Note: considering the journal scopes, other optoelectronic applications of the AIE-active pyrene-based materials are omitted in this review).…”